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But what if I told you that offense can actually result in the greater good of mankind.
First off let us define 'offense'.
A simple definition would be the act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront.
Looking at all those words: anger, resentment, displeasure, and affront usually doesn't stir up feelings of warmth and happiness.
Why would anyone want to experience offense? This is why...
Let's begin with a few radical examples of how offense turned into the 'greater good of mankind'.
First off we have Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
, who was greatly offended by the racial segregation and discrimination of the nation.
Through his determination and passion to establish color blindness and equality amongst all of God's creation, he became one of the most influential iconic figures in the advancement of civil rights and helped put an end to racial prejudice and inequality.
Abraham Lincoln, another great leader in the 'greater good' for humanity.
President Lincoln strongly opposed slavery and even stated in one of his famous speeches, "I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery itself...
".
It's safe to say that slavery greatly offended President Lincoln, and because of his offense, he successfully led the country in the abolition of slavery and stronger unification of the nation.
So as you can see without offense, these two men wouldn't have accomplished these great things.
Enough with the history lessons; let's bring it back to a more relevant scale and discuss how offense can make you, and even those around you, better individuals.
When we are offended, our first response is usually to defend ourselves.
We often do that by speaking up and letting the person who offended us know about their offense, standing up for what we believe in, or correcting the situation.
And rightly so, we should always speak up when offense comes.
Otherwise, it will continue to come (especially if it's coming from the same source) if not corrected.
Going through life without offense is nearly impossible, unless you're deaf, blind, and mute.
It is practically human nature when it comes to offending someone, because let's face it, we are not always going to agree with each other.
But when offense comes, we should never take it lying down, shying away from the confrontation that ought to be.
Sometimes the people doing the offense are unaware of their actions.
Regardless whether the offense is intentional or not, we should always speak up.
How would someone know not to do or say something that is offensive if no one ever corrects them and tells them so? This is exactly why we don't have slavery or segregation today because of people who were willing to speak up and correct their offense.
It even says in the bible: "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
" ~Matthew 18:15 If someone ever told me that Christians are emotional, hypocritical fakes and Jesus was just a 'man', believe you me I would be very offended.
And not because Jesus needs defending (because He doesn't), but they are pretty much attacking my very being, my core beliefs, the very foundation of my existence.
Keeping my mouth shut or letting their comment slide would suggest I agree or somewhat agree with them nor do I value my beliefs.
We must all stand up for what we believe in, our convictions, the definition of truth in our lives.
Doing so will continue to fan the flames of our passions in life making us better and stronger people.
"unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.
" ~Peter Marshall (1947) Offense will come.
It may come in a form of a stranger, a boss, or a little old lady you call grandma, but remember to always speak up, stand up, and defend what you believe in.
Offense, when dealt with correctly, can lead to the greater good of mankind.
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