We've all been there. Two friends or family members we care for a great deal become involved in a dispute over some seemingly ridiculous, inconsequential thing and we feel pressured to enter the fray and 'pick a side'. But with picking a side comes the all consuming need to carry the perceived offense as one's own and produces a variety of joy-stealing emotional, psychological, and spiritual challenges. This is generally referred to as a second-hand offense. It usually begins by giving ear to the frustrations of others, which psychobabble has termed, 'venting'. As we listen to the person 'vent', we gradually become engaged in a form of co-dependency in which we identify with the offense and make it ours. Now all of a sudden, we're as mad and upset as the person we have given ear to. And thus a second-hand offense is born.
Proverbs 26:17 gives us clear direction for when disputes not our own occur around us: STAY OUT OF IT AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!
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