Last week I was called into the office at work to be told by my office manager that my employers are not happy with the work I am doing and they do not believe that I am worth the raise I received approximately five years ago. Immediately, I became angry but that was quickly replaced by hurt because their reasoning was not about the quality of my work or the fact that I am not fulfilling the requirements of my positions. It was simply about me not posting on the company's Facebook page often enough. I am currently working two administrative positions to decrease the overhead expenses of the office and volunteered to occasionally tend to the Facebook page. This was an issue that could have been resolved without diminishing my value to the company.
It is now one week later and after leaving a meeting at work, I got in my car and cried still feeling hurt from what I was told. I began to search for reasons why I would even feel motivated to work now knowing that what I do is not valued. Then I cried out to God, "Lord, what do I do with this offense?" He reminded me of a few things.
"They can not determine your worth. Before you were in your mother's womb, I knew you (Jeremiah 1:5). I knitted you together and formed you in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). I made plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). I know the number of hairs on your head and you have more value than the sparrows. (Luke 12:6-7). I gave the ultimate sacrifice because of your worth to me. I gave my Son ( John 3:16) and I did it while you were still a sinner (Romans 5:8)."
"You do not work for them. You work for me. Whatever you do, do it heartily, because you work for me, not for them (Colossians 3:23). Whatever you do, you are to do it for my glory (1Corinthians 10:31). You are to commit your work to me (Proverbs 16:3)."
After hearing God's response I asked, "what do I do with this offense?" Immediately, realized I was singing along to the song playing at that moment. I was so in the Spirit that I did not notice the words I repeated multiple times... "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). All I could do was laugh and the feelings of hurt and offense went away. God reminded me of my true value and that I can find joy whenever I face various trials (James 1:2). I felt better just listing the verses where God talks about my value but I feel so much more peace knowing that I can choose to rejoice instead of focusing on the hurt.
Today, I encourage you that if you are hurting because of what someone said to you or about you, take it to God. He knows how to handle offense. Be up front and honest about what you are feeling. Cry, yell, scream, or just be still but take it directly to God and not the people around you. I pray that if you are dealing with offense or hurt, God will guide you through the process of finding peace in your situation. It took me one week to bring my hurt to God and learn what He wanted me to see: If I bring Him my offense, He will be my defense.
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