The Madness of Unforgiveness: Step Over the Offense

by David Chadwick

Forgiveness. It’s one of the most powerful forces in God’s creation. On the contrary, unforgiveness can easily hold people captive and destroy their lives.

Let’s keep looking at the madness of unforgiveness.

What is the best way to stop unforgiveness? If possible, step over the offense. Proverbs 19:11 says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Here is a pithy way that I like to remember this biblical truth. Offenses happen to us all. But good sense would say to step over offense!

Some people will purposely offend us. Some do so unintentionally, without evil intent. But here’s the bottom line: offenses do happen! People offend us. And we offend them.

It’s not a matter of if this will happen to us, but when.

I truly believe the best way to handle most offenses, if possible, is to step over them. Notice I did say, “If possible…” I do recognize that sometimes the offense is so big, so damaging, and so hurtful that it needs to be confronted. There are certainly times where the only way to move on is to deal with the offender so that he or she can’t do any further harm.

However, if the offense is deemed to be manageable, if it is something that won’t really hurt the friendship, if it’s a silly conflict with your husband or wife, or if it’s not something that would greatly harm the family or organization, it’s always best to step over it.

When you step over the offense, remember to give it to God.

I like to repeatedly say to myself in these moments, “David, remember that love is not irritable. It isn’t touchy. Or rude. Indeed, love really is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:5).”

With Jesus’s supernatural strength living within us, we truly can step over the offense.  And move forward in enjoying life to the fullest!