Are you allowing that tiny offense you received from someone to grow in your heart?

It's 1.30am now, and I really have to come record this testimony down tonight, or rather, a time like that in the wee hours. Haha.

For the past few days, 2 things happened to me, 2 persons said somethings that offended me, initially. But then, I told myself that because of my love for them, I shall not have any hurt feelings inside of me. All because I love them for who they are and I will forgive them even if they're unaware that they've offended me! (:

But days passed, and although I told myself that I have forgiven them, the images of them making those comments and the facial expressions that seem to be condemning me, kept flashing in my mind! I did not realized that I haven't really forgiven them, and that, the offense kept in my heart, or the grudge that I hold against them, was unknowingly growing inside of me.

And then, just now, I was reading John Bevere's book, The Bait Of Satan.

Praise God! Thank God! He spoke to me through this book.

He said that, I was loving in a very selfish way. I am not practising unconditional love, but selfish love. Selfish love such that, in my case, I was easily disappointed and offended by the remarks of the people whom I love dearly (: He said that I shouldn't have been offended! Because if I have learned to love them unconditionally, then I would give them every right to hurt me anytime.

I was loving selfishly, for I expected them to meet the expectations I have of them.

Indeed, the higher your expectations, the greater you'll fall.

In most cases, when it's people-to-people relationships, that saying would usually apply mostly to the people whom you love a lot. But many a times, we do not realise that, this saying, is a saying of practising selfish love. So what do people usually see from this saying? The standard reply would usually be, don't set your expectations too high then!

NOT SO.

We shouldn't even set expectations to the people whom we love! We should stop practising selfish love and start embodying unconditional love! Unconditional love that will not expect anything in return every time you give!

For every giving I offer, it will be a blessing for others! And not as if they owe me, and should return to me every time I give to them.

I have contacted 1 of them, and have asked for her forgiveness for holding that offense in my heart! (: The other hasn't replied.

I just want to praise the Lord and thank God for enlightening me and teaching me once again! I have understood Your word and I will use the grace You have given me to put it into actions, all for Your glory!

Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who use you and persecute you