When Offended and Suffering Change Your Focus

James 5:8 – You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

James 5:9 – Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:10 – Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

James 5:7-12 is the entire pericope that addresses what to do when offended and suffering. Take time to read it in a language and version that is easy to understand. Read it prayerfully and let God reveal His will to you in that passage.

Apostle James inspired by the Holy Spirit tells us that when offended we should change focus. Instead of focusing on the one who offended you, focus on the coming justice. The Lord is coming and your offender will be dealt with, therefore be patient and wait for that day.

An analogy of a farmer is given. If you planted a crop, you can’t harvest it overnight. A farmer is patient. A farmer knows that harvest cannot be immediately, but it’s coming. When you are offended, the justice may not come immediately, but like a farmer you should know, it will come at the right time.

When offended we get angry and enraged and we desire justice here and now. We want God to thunder from heaven in our defense. Sometimes it works like that but many times, it is safer if we change focus and be farmers waiting for a distant but sure to come harvest. When offended wait for justice when the Lord comes, it may take long but it won’t delay. Focus on the coming of the Lord. Focus on Jesus!

Apostle James tells us not to grumble against one another. Grumbling against one another is focusing on each other. Change your focus when offended. Do not focus on the offender. Do not wonder, how could he or how could she… Shift your focus from the one who offends you, the Lord is coming, focus on the Lord who will bring justice.

When we focus on the offender it hurts much more. When friend turns foe it hurts. When betrayed by a friend it hurts. When the supposed source of love, becomes source of contempt and irritation, it hurts. When the trusted proves untrustworthy it hurts. When those we banked on disappoint us it hurts. When those who should understand refuse to understand it hurts. Focusing on the offender increases the hurt. Change your focus!

Learn lessons so that you do not get hurt again, but move on by changing your focus. Do not brood around an offense regurgitating it, that will hurt more, but never solve the problem. Change your focus. Wait for justice by moving on!

Change your focus by treating your enemies well when they need your help. Change your focus by refusing to ferment in pain and anger. Change your focus by letting God, address the offense. God will not address it, if you refuse to change your focus.

Romans 12:17 – Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:20 – On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 12:21 – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Apostle James goes on, James 5:10-11, to tell us that we have reliable examples of prophets like Job. The man Job suffered so much, but he focused on God and not Satan. He didn’t go around crying that Satan has done this or that. Job didn’t focus on his insensitive friends. Job focused and spoke to God. God in the final end, like on the long awaited harvest day, repaid Job. When offended and or suffering, change your focus like Job!

Change your focus from the offender to God. Change your focus from the offense to God. Change your focus from the pain to God. Change your focus from Satan to God. Change your focus from insensitive and uncaring people to God. James 5:11 tells us that God is merciful and full of compassion.

In this world of sin, it is immature to think we will avoid getting offended and suffering. When suffering and offense come as they would, May God help us change focus, in Jesus’s name, Amen!

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