Learning from the Scriptures and Prophets

So I am generally a very easy going person.  I usually try to look at things from others points of views and I try to assume the best out of a person.  But I am human.  You see awhile ago my feelings were hurt and I was offended.  And I was justified in my offense.  But I did not respond the way I ought to have in my emotions, thoughts or even actions.  Even if 99% of the world agrees that I was justified in my offense, I should not have been offended.

"When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else." -Elder Bednar "And Nothing Shall Offend Them"

So not only did my initial offense hurt me I was hurt because this put me in a downward spiral.  More things and smaller things started to offend me.  And I was not happy.  The funny thing is I don't even remember what it was that offended me, I just remember it happening and it is still hurting me today.

I remember the last time I read through the Book or Mormon reading the story of Pahoran and admiring him and resolving at that point to do better.  Well I just reached the story of Pahoran again and I don't think I have done much better since then.  You can read this story in Alma 60 and Alma 61.  Here is basically what happens. Moroni has written to Parhoran asking for more soldiers to help defeat the Laminites and Pahoran does not send more soldiers.  This is because Pahoran has been overthrown in the government and does not have the power but Moroni does not know this.  So Moroni writes again to Pahoran and tell him the he is being idle and not following the commandments of God.  Moroni tells him that he is sitting on his throne in a "state of thoughtless stupor" and that it is his fault that many have fallen and died.  Then he goes on to tell him that if he does not repent he will come against him.  I would think that if any ever had the right to be offended it was Pahoran.  But Pahoran was not offended, no he found joy in Moroni's words.  He rejoiced in the greatness of Moronis heart.  And further more he found answer to his concerns and I am sure his prayers in Moroni's rebukings. 

Wow if we could all take Pahoran's response what a different world we would live it.  So here I am again resolving to do better and not be offended.  A friend of mine shared this quote on her blog the other day and it feels very appropriate here. "Charity is assuming the best."  

In assuming the best we are not allowing ourselves to be offended, we are doing our best to see each other as God sees us.