The Gift of Offense

​Put your pride aside so you can find the hidden treasure.
Sometimes the very thing that offends us is the thing God uses to confront what’s still alive in us. Let’s just say it: offense hurts. It rubs us the wrong way. Makes our blood boil. It pokes at our pride and dares us to stay calm. But what if offense isn’t meant to destroy us...but to deliver us?
I want to challenge you with something the Lord’s been showing me:
What if offense isn’t the enemy?
What if offense is actually an invitation?
An invitation to grow. To examine. To humble ourselves. To dig deeper.
Because hidden beneath that sting, that agitation, that “how dare they” moment, is a mirror. And in that mirror, God shows us what needs to be healed. What needs to be humbled. What needs to be surrendered. It shows us what still lives inside of us that God is trying to uproot. That comment they made? That look they gave? That truth you weren’t ready to hear? Yeah, maybe it wasn’t wrapped in the nicest tone. Maybe it wasn’t their best moment. But maybe - just maybe - it was your moment.
Your moment to deal with that ego. That insecurity. That control issue. That need to always be right.
It’s wild to say this, but I’ll say it anyway:
Sometimes, offense is a gift.
A messy, uncomfortable, holy gift.

​Jesus Offended People
He didn’t tiptoe around people’s opinions. He said what needed to be said, even when it cut deep. Even when it cost Him followers.
“Then the disciples came to Him and asked, ‘Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?’”
Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.” Matthew 15:12-13
Jesus was offensive to the religious. He touched lepers, forgave prostitutes, healed on the Sabbath, flipped tables, and sat with sinners. He said things like, “Blessed is the one who is not offended because of Me” (Matthew 11:6) In other words, don’t let your feelings cause you to miss the revelation. Don’t let offense become a wall that blocks your blessing.
Jesus wasn’t worried about who would get offended. He was focused on uprooting what didn’t belong. He was exposing the false foundations and calling people into truth.
 
Offense Is a Shovel, Not a Sword
We’re so quick to draw our swords when we feel disrespected, dishonored, or misunderstood. But what if God is handing us a shovel instead?
It digs deep and exposes the roots. But if you let it work in you, if you bring it before the Lord instead of lashing out or shutting down, you might just strike gold.
Pride will block the blessing every time. But humility? Humility will mine the treasure hidden in the hard words, in the uncomfortable truths, in the people you didn’t expect to carry your breakthrough.
 
Let Offense Do Its Work
Next time something hits you the wrong way, pause. Don’t react. Don’t run. Don’t post. Don’t clap back.
Ask:
“Lord, what are You trying to teach me here?”
“Is this pointing to a place in me that’s still wounded, proud, or unhealed?”
“What’s the treasure I’m missing because I’m too busy being offended?”
Because here’s the truth:
God will offend your mind to reveal your heart.
He’ll let something irritate your flesh to get your spirit’s attention. Not to embarrass you, but to elevate you. Not to shame you, but to shape you.
So don’t just brush it off.
Bring it to God.
Let Him sift through it with you.
Let Him show you the gift in what seemed like a jab.
Because even that offense might be wrapped in divine intention.
 
Journal with me:
Who or what has offended you recently?
What did it stir up in you—and what might God be trying to reveal through it?
Ask the Lord:
“God, where is the treasure in this offense?
What do You want me to see that I’ve been too hurt, or too proud to notice?”