Editorial January 3, 1983 Issue

Too easily offended?

NATHAN A. TALBOT

At one time or another most of us have had to deal with emotions stirred up by what someone has said.

There are all sorts of human solutions—none of them ideal. We may simply develop supertough mental skin. Whatever is said just doesn't penetrate. Or we may endure quiet little explosions within, while mulling over and brooding about some comment. But occasionally there are those explosions that aren't so little, and aren't contained. There needs to be a better way. There is. It has to do with a concept that could be generally described as God's law. The Psalmist made the point this way: "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."^{Ps. 119:165.}

The New English Bible offers this translation: "Peace is the reward of those who love thy law; no pitfalls beset their path." A pitfall can take any number of forms. Since the King James Version uses the term "offend" (in its older meaning, "cause to stumble or sin"), let's consider how the verse might be applied. Being offended is certainly a snare that deserves a thoughtful, spiritual solution. Whenever we feel offended, we've allowed ourselves to fall into a trap.

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