offended

Last night I was re-reading my book “The Bait of Satan”. Since someone thought they needed my tablet more than I did I resorted back to the old way of reading an actual book.  I remember how much this book helped me before when I was feeling offended but when I picked it up I thought I am not feeling offended at this point, but it was a really good book and had many God lessons. 

So as I started reading I saw a reference to Psalm 55: 12-14. “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it.  Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance.  We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.”

Oh wow I think I was feeling offended about the theft of my tablet.  I said things like I just can’t believe it happened at church! I never expected this to happen at church! And similar things.  As I continued to read it talked about how offended I was to think it was someone I sat with, sang worship songs with, and fellowshiped with. This is exactly what I have been thinking.  It goes on to talk about how Satan sets a trap and how we deal with the bait is the key to understanding.  Am I cloaked with pride? Am I hiding how I really feel?  I can truly say at this time I am very sad. Not because someone violated me. But, because I miss it.  I blame myself for being so stupid to leave it out of my site and a temptation to someone else.  Revelations tells us to cure my heart of the feeling of this offense I must purify myself as if gold.  My heart needs to be soft and I need to make sure it doesn’t get hard.  This can only happen by allowing God to refine me. I must rejoice in the gifts God has given me and not let this incident become a trap where Satan can shake up my life. 

I have decided to turn this over to God to deal with.  If he chooses to work on the heart of the person who took it that would be great, but if HE chooses to teach me a lesson from this, that is great also.  I choose God and will let HIM choose the outcome.

I look forward to continuing the 30 day reading and devotional after each chapter.  If you are in a situation where you are feeling offended you might need to read this book. “The Bait of Satan” by John Bevere.