STEP 1: Read the following material further instructions will be given
The Sin of Being Offended
An old children’s rhyme says, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” While this playground quotation should be true, anyone involved in counseling knows it is not reality. Words can wound people deeply if they are taken in.
Being offended by what others do to us or around us can be a dangerous path. There are two reasons for this. One is psychological and the other spiritual. From a psychological perspective, when we attempt to manage another’s actions or change them in any way, we are in for grave disappointment. We cannot change others, and any attempt to do so can lead to emotional turmoil. True strength comes in changing ourselves and that means our ‘reactions’ to others. For it is not what others do to us that counts, but what we think about what they do to us that matters. Offenses lie in our mind not in others’ actions. No one can insult you or hurt you verbally unless you decide to allow it.
From a spiritual perspective, the truth of the matter is that as believers we have no right to take offense at what others do or say to us. When someone tells me of the damaging words or actions of another, I like to encourage them with the life of Christ. He is, after all, our model. If you search scripture you will find that Christ never took offense for what others did to him. He was only angry at others’ actions when they offended the Father. His focus (just like ours should be) was on God and his instruction. Christ did not focus on the violence or angry words that were cast upon him. Instead he prayed for those who attacked him. If we, as believers, can turn our focus upward instead of inward, we can be free from the slings and arrows of mean people. There is a unique kind of freedom that comes with deciding not to allow the hurtful words and mean actions of others to control us.
In 1 Peter 2:23, it says of Jesus, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to Him who judges justly” (NIV). Once we learn that it is not up to us to correct and manage the world, we can be free from many of the chains that bind us and keep us in emotional turmoil. It is only in trusting God and his promises (over 2000 given to each and every one of us in His inspired Word) that those who are easily upset by others can be set free. Jesus himself said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28, NIV). So how can we be so quick to take offense at what others might do or say to us? Encourage others to hear Jesus’ words, model his actions and avoid the trap of ‘self’ by taking personal offense.
Hayley DiMarco has a passion for producing relevant material for teens and adults alike. She and her husband, Michael, run Hungry Planet (www.hungryplanet.net), a publishing company reaching the multi-tasking mindset. She is the best-selling author of Mean Girls, Mean Girls All Grown Up, Dateable and Marriable. The couple lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING CEU QUIZ
STEP 1: READ THE MATERIAL
STEP 2: TAKE THE QUIZ BELOW (YOU MAY REFER TO THE COURSE MATERIAL)
STEP 3: MAIL QUIZ TO: ACADC – PO BOX 8604 – REDLANDS, CA 92375 WITH A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $9 MADE PAYABLE TO ACADC
UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR ANSWER SHEET AND CEU FEE OF $9, YOUR CEU CERTIFICATE WILL BE MAILED TO YOU.
CEU QUIZ - 1 CEU of Credit
Title: Taking Offense
STEP 1: READ MATERIAL - STEP 2: PRINT OUT AND TAKE QUIZ BELOW ON THE BASIS OF WHAT YOU HAVE READ (YOU MAY WRITE IT ON ANY PAPER BUT PLEASE MAKE IT LEGIBLE) - STEP 3: MAIL YOUR WRITTEN QUIZ AND $9 FEE TO ACADC, PO BOX 8604, REDLANDS, CA 92375
Course No. CE21308: Taking Offense – TAP 21 Counselor Competencies - Section 2: The Professional Practice of Addiction Counseling, VA4: Promote client knowledge, skills, and attitudes that contribute to a positive change in addictive behaviors. Circle the correct answers below in questions 1-5. In your own words give a succinct response to the brief essay on one sheet of paper (you may use both sides if you need to). As soon as your quiz answers are received, your CEU certificate will be mailed to you with the correct answers for questions you might miss.
1) Which statement is true of the old saying "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me!":
A. The statement is always true
B. The statement is rarely true
C. It is true that the words will hurt us if we take offense
D. It is true that words can never hurt us if we take offense
2) True or False – Taking offense at what others say and do can be a dangerous path
3) Taking offense is dangerous because
A. Trying to manage other persons actions and change them usually leads to dissapointment in us and emotional turmoil in them.
B. True strength comes from changing ourselves and our reactions to others
C. It's not what others do to us but what we think they do to us that matters.
D. All above are true
4) Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Offenses lie in our mind not in others’ actions.
B. No one can insult you or hurt you verbally unless you decide to allow it.
C. Being angry at a person's actions and taking offense are the same thing
D. C
5) True or False - If we place harsh words and mean actions directed toward us on God through prayer instead of reacting to people who give it to us, we experience a unique kind of freedom that empowers us to choose to not let the harsh words and actions of others control us.
Brief Essay Question
Read 1 Peter 2:23 and Luke 2:27-28 and discuss on one sheet of paper (both sides may be used if needed) if you know of instances in your own life to which you applied or should have applied these scriptures. Discuss the specifics and how you responded and what you would change if you could.
Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors Institute
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MAIL QUIZ TO: ACADC – PO BOX 8604 – REDLANDS, CA 92375 WITH A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $9 MADE PAYABLE TO ACADC
UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR ANSWER SHEET AND CEU FEE OF $9, YOUR CEU CERTIFICATE WILL BE MAILED TO YOU.
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