Yes, I said it. GET OVER IT, YOU ARE NOT PERFECT! Now don’t be offended here. Listen to what I have to say. I know you are already trying to tune me out. LOL

I am talking to myself while making this statement. I am now sharing my self conversation with you. I just had to say it out loud so I could hear myself and be reminded of this simple truth. If it steps on your toes, just know, It CRUSHED my entire foot. Let me tell you, this has been a hard lesson learned and one I find myself being reminded of over and over again. Just when I think I’ve got it all together, BAAM!!!, it happens again. The Lord reminds me how imperfect I am.

Oh, I’m not talking about my hair, or the way I walk. I’m not even talking about my body shape, which happens to be like an apple! I’m not talking about my home or work place. No, what I’m talking about is something so much more important than any of this. I’m talking about hurting others and being hurt by others. I’m talking about being offended and offending others.

Recently I have been seeking ways to set boundaries with others in my life. I started a daily devotional that my cousin introduced me to titled “Good Boundaries and Goodbyes” by Lysa Terkeurst. It is actually a Bible Study and Book for those who wish to look it up. About 4 chapters into the book, I had a wake up call! I realized how easily I am offended by others. I stopped the study for a moment and began to seek God about this. I have never thought of myself as someone who is offended easily. Recently God directed me to a Bible Study series by Sister Carla Burton titled “Overcoming Offenses”. Boy oh boy are my feet and toes hurting right now! Sis Burton hit the nail on the head and that hammer went to the floor and crushed all the toes on my size 8 feet. My feet are slowly recovering but they will take some time to heal.

In working through this study God has revealed to me just how easy it is to become offended and to cause offenses to others. Sister Burton makes a powerful point in this study. She states in her study that one of the biggest battles we will face in our entire life is offenses. Offenses are going to come and we must prepare for our reaction to them. We are going to offend and be offended at various times in our life.
Matthew 18:7 says, “Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come;.,,,,,”. So there it is, offenses are going to come. The Bible says it, I believe it. It’s just that simple.

Now what is not so simple is the question, What can we do about it?
Ephesians 4:1-3 gives us some of the best guidance in answering this question. The apostle Paul is speaking to the church at Ephesus and giving them spiritual guidance as the body of Christ. He says to them,
“I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

The very first step here is to humble oneself. I must learn to realize that I am not perfect nor do I have all the answers. Hence, the title of this blog, “You are not Perfect! So Get Over it”. I now realize that how I speak to others and react to what they see to me is what makes the difference. When I think of others first, I will always make a better choice in my words and actions. This in turn allows me to be gentle in my response to their words and actions. I can then have more patience and my love for others will grow in this action. Love, after all, never fails (1 Corinthians 13:5). Love never dishonors others, it never seeks its own self satisfaction, it is not easily angered and never, ever keeps records of people’s wrongdoings.

Today I pray this prayer based on James 3:17-18:

“LORD JESUS, FILL ME WITH WISDOM FROM ABOVE! LET ME ALWAYS HAVE A PURE HEART, MAKE ME A PEACEABLE PERSON, LET ME BE GENTLE, MAY I BE EASY TO APPROACH, FILL ME WITH MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS. LORD JESUS, LET ME NEVER HAVE PARTIALITY OR HYPOCRISY IN MY LIFE. MAY I BARE THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND BE A PEACEMAKER. AMEN”

I do hope this blog brings encouragement to each of you in that you are reminded that your words and actions make a difference. Remember Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger”. Choose your words wisely. Fall in love with people! Get to know them. Build relationships with them. Get rid of all prejudices and see others as Jesus sees them and you. May your “love abound more and yet more in knowledge and in all judgment. That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. ” see Philippians 1:9-11