Offence Blocks God's grace

A week or so ago I listened to Joyce Meyer's podcast called 'The Bait of satan'. Basically she invited guest speaker and author of the book named 'the bait of satan', John Bevere to come and talk about offence and what it does.

John Bevere shared of how destructive being offended is and how it can bring bitterness and stop the flow of God's grace to the offended person. He also shared that although he was the author of such a book, he himself found himself falling into the trap.

It was very subtle. I became more quick-tempered, he can be driving and playing worship songs in the car, his wife sitting next to him lifting her hands in worship, but when she asked him to sing along, he refused saying his silence was a way to worship too. He was offended, hurt by a roll model pastor in church whom he learned and trusted when that pastor made some grave mistakes. The more John saw this pastor prosper since he is preaching God's word, the more angry he got as he could no believe God would still use that man. To cut the story short, he finally asked God if he was offended, and with the loudest answer he's ever heard from God, a 'YES!'.

I can also identify with him. Recently just when things look very well and I was really doing my best to pray lots and my involvement in ministry started growing, someone made a bad remark on the ministry and I just told myself and everyone else it's ok, just pray for him. For the upcoming week, I found myself struggling. I prayed prayers that seemed to fall on the ground. I found no peace in them, I got more and more tired even if I tried sleeping earlier. I felt frustrated and very restless. I didnt know what was going on. (As you guys noticed, I also have not been updating this blog as I could not connect with God or what He wanted to do.)

Then this morning, I was suppose to return a book on healing to a ministry friend. I flipped a few pages and the word bitterness and unforgiveness jumped up at me. I realised then, I was offended without even knowing it. How it crept up and attached itself on me when I was so unaware. Right after that, I could feel healing, a peace coming upon me. I could reflect and pray. Praise God!

It is such a lesson to really guard my heart cos it really is true that offence and bitterness can block my connection with God. I'm still not completely clear but I know for sure the healing has begun. Reminds me of the previous post, to forgive my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. And love them just as Jesus loves them.