A friend of mine shared a story with me about her itchy eye. It has been really irritated for years now and she has learned to live with it. A nurse recently advised her to get some histamine drops to help. She has had that thought in the past but decided against it because her body is very sensitive and wasn’t sure how it would react to the histamine. After trying other remedies, to no avail, she turned to the bottle (of histamine that is) and immediately noticed the cooling, soothing relief it offered.

And that made me think – we do that don’t we?

We learn to live with things that irritate and scratch. We get used to, almost comfortable with such irritants, resolved to the fact that there is no solution, so we learn to live with it and ignore it until relief comes and then, and only then, do we notice just how much it has interfered and unnecessarily caused us grief and pain that we did not need to carry.

We are such creatures of habit and it is to our demise, oftentimes, the habits we have learned to live with! We settle into the less of this life because we think we are supposed to. It’s our lot in life, our cross to bear!

NO!!  That is not the truth!

Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  

He came to give us life,

life to the full,

life to abundance,

life overflowing with good things!  

He never meant for you to live in the less than.  He offers Himself as the healing balm our souls need in this broken, deprived world.  Maybe you don’t have to live with that “itchy eye” – maybe, just maybe, there is a simple solution to remedy what ails you today.

Jesus sent us the gift of the Holy Spirit when He ascended to His Father in heaven. One of the names of the Holy Spirit is the “Comforter” —

John 14:26 “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”

Romans 8:26 “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words..”

Let that sink in – the Holy Spirit intercedes for you. So thankful for His enduring patience and kindness towards us.

We are a frustrating bunch, don’t you agree?

The answers,

the solutions,

the remedies

right in front of us yet we stay with the “itchy eye” – we choose to suffer and resolve that this is just how it is supposed to be, this is the best we will have.  Yet our faithfully, patient intercessor presses to offer what’s right in front of us –

“Here, this will help!”

“Take this, I have what you need!”

“Try this, it will feel better!”

“If you would only trust me and give this a shot!”

“You don’t have to suffer with this, I have something to help!”

EVER PATIENT AND KIND – HE OFFERS…

“histamine” to heal your itchy eye!

Don’t settle for what’s uncomfortable, don’t live with things that irritate and scratch, don’t resolve that there is no solution, don’t learn to live with and ignore the relief that is there for the taking. Maybe, just maybe, you don’t have to live with that “itchy eye” after all!

Offense…we candy coat don’t we? I do!  I call it bitterness, I blame it on others, I push it away and cover it up with half-hearted forgiveness. I know people who are offended constantly, they live in this place and quite honestly it aggravates me.

And then the light turns in…ouch!

He is so faithful to shine a light on the dark places in my heart, no matter how small.  Every speck He wants removed. And so I decided to take a look. And sure enough there it was…dark spots of offense speckling my heart like pepper on a white plate. Yuck! What do I with this Lord?

It’s simple really — deal with it!

Every situation requires a plan.  When Jesus had an issue with people He handled each one specifically.  There’s not a blanket approach to dealing with offense, every heart requires careful and compassionate consideration.  

He confronted the Pharisees,

He wept with Martha and Mary,

He spent the afternoon with Zaccheus,

He reminded His mother about why He came to earth,

He embraced Peter on a beach after His resurrection,

He blinded Saul and renamed him Paul.

Never offended – He dealt with the issues between Himself and others.

So, pray and release people from the strangling hold of offense.

Make the phone call and sort out the issue,

journal and deal with it with God,

turn the spotlight in and search for the speck in your own heart,

confront bad behavior,

set healthy boundaries to guard your heart,

embrace the brokenness of another and simply let it go…

countless ways He would have us deal with the offenses that capture our heart.

Ask Him, He has the perfect solution for each situation.

He does not expect us to stand for abuse and be mistreated – Luke 9:5 “And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

But He does expect us to turn into what is uncomfortable and face it head on!

If we are not willing to call them on it, we don’t get to carry it. Offense left untended grows and shadows every situation, it colors everything with a tinge of sour and bitter and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. It poisons the heart. Candy coated is never a good option – it reminds me of those awful candies that start off sweet but after a few minutes, melting in your mouth, become so sour your face contorts as lips pucker and eyes water, not a pretty look for anyone!

Psalm 119:1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

Proverbs 23:26 My son/daughter, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways..

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Mathew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Take hold of offense and stop letting it drive you dysfunctionally. Embrace the truth about how you feel about the people and situations confronting you and move into the embrace of forgiveness. Each speckle of dark in your heart calls for a different course of action, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to reconcile each and step into the freedom offered.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. 

Had the privilege of facilitating a Growth Challenge seminar this weekend with a handful of amazing people.  As I sat in the back of the room watching people grapple with the regrets of this life, uncover blind spots that have been hidden for a long time, wrestle with the discomfort of leaving their comfort zones, dance with the hope of a new perspective, my eyes blurred with tears to spill.

It’s a beautiful experience to witness someone come alive! To push out of the cocoon they have found safety in and embrace the wonder of the more of this world!

Eyes brighten,

shoulders relax,

face softens,

heart opens,

feet step in!

It is an amazing sight to behold! To see transformation right before your eyes, emerging from the old, restricting cocoon into life anew! FREEDOM is an incredible feeling! 

What a sweet privilege it is to be on the front row of people’s lives!

Lately, I have been struggling with purpose and position…trying to make sense of some of the “whys” in my life but purposing to serve others this weekend and bear witness to the miracles God would perform reminded me of what I love about people.

Authenticity, transparency, vulnerability…these are the loveliest things about mankind.

So thankful for the gifts I received from this group.  Reminded that I must be His most favorite because He shares some of His most favorite treasures with me. I am a better woman having journeyed with this band of beautiful blessings! Thank you for the privilege!