It is an act of your will to forgive those who have hurt you. The Word of God is the standard by which we are entitled to live, and it plainly says that you must forgive and release offenses from your heart. For me, once it is pointed out in the Word of God, I get determined real quick to change.

I choose to be a person who is not offended. That's the key. We have the choice to let things hurt us, or to forgive and move on. When you choose not to be offended and begin to pray for that person, just as you would for a very close friend or a relative, the anointing of God will come and deliver and destroy those yokes, and a relationship can be built.

Romans 14:13 describes what our attitude should be: "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

Our maturity level will determine how well we handle offense. On a different note, we need to be cautious of the fact that some of our own actions could cause others to be offended, and if so, change them.

Don't do those things that you know are offensive and insulting to others. Be aware of what you say. Think before you speak. Your words can destroy a person's self-esteem or they can bring them up to a higher level.

I therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service,

Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.

Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace. (Eph. 4:1-3 AMP)

As I mentioned before, the closer you are to a person, the more hurtful an offense can be. And Satan knows that. If you've been divorced and you're not healed of all the hurts and wounds from your first marriage, it is almost inevitable that you will carry those hurts into the second marriage and end up destroying it.

It is extremely difficult to have healthy relationships when you continue to carry around all the hurts from the past. The Word of God can change that!

Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165 AMP)

You may want to write that scripture in the back of your Bible and look at it from time to time. Begin confessing: "I love God's Word above my feelings. I love God's Word above making myself feel satisfied at holding a grudge against someone who hurt me. I love God's Word, and because I love His law I'm going to have great peace in my life. I'm not going to allow anything to cause me to stumble."

How will you respond when offenses come? Don't get offended! Don't take the bait. Don't get caught in the trap. Refuse it. Forgive, forget it, and move on with God. The choice is yours.

What is your choice? God wants you to be free of offenses. Jesus said, "I am come to set the captives free." I want you to pray a prayer, and if there is something in your heart that you've been holding on to, possibly for many years, then as an act of your will, let it go today!

Determine that today is your day of deliverance. You are going to feel as though a heavy, tremendous burden has been lifted from you. Are you ready? Pray this prayer and get on your way to freedom.

"Father, in the Name of Jesus, I have seen in Your Word, that I have to let offenses go. Your Word says that I must forgive those who have hurt me because You forgave me. I repent of this and I ask for Your forgiveness. I cannot forgive them in my own strength. I have to have You. Therefore, as an act of my will, I choose to forgive.

As the Heavenly Father has freely forgiven me of my sin, I freely forgive (say his/her name) for the injustice I feel they've done unto me. I forgive them. I release them. I let it go. The debt has been paid in Jesus' Name. According to Your Word, I believe that the original unpayable debt against me has been paid. I'm free! I'm free! I declare that I am free in Jesus' Name! Amen."

You are free. There's nothing holding you back. Now, be the success that God has planned for you to be.

Source: Conquering The Spirit Of Offense by Carolyn Savelle.
Excerpt permission granted by Jerry Savelle Publications