“Can’t see the forest for the trees”
What does that statement mean?
What does that statement mean?
I’m sure each one of us could come up with our own definition of this well known phrase.
In this post I’m going to apply it to what it’s like for someone who has been offended and is still walking in that offense.
One of my many favourite Scripture verses is Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” The Message puts it this way, “For those who love what you reveal, everything fits — no stumbling around in the dark for them.”
Maintaining an offended stance, or walking in offense {which is unforgiveness} is like stumbling around in the dark, unable to see what God reveals and in essence blinded from the very presence of God. It can make your spirit weak and render your prayers ineffective. It is very very dangerous to your spirit and to your flesh!! They are inter-connected you know…
We expect the world to hurt us but when it’s fellow Christians or even family it seems to affect us in a whole new way. Thoughts, if unchecked, begin to develop, “How do I protect myself?” When that happens, know that offense is starting to get a grip. Offended people have one goal, protect – protect – protect. We have to be so careful, to be able to easily recognize it and quickly repent.
There is a progression to all of this if it is not dealt with quickly. There’s always a cause and effect process for everything in life. Offense becomes betrayal which becomes hatred. Betrayal is, “I seek my benefit at your expense”, the ultimate abandonment of relationship. Then hatred {loathing, disgust, extreme dislike} arrives on the scene. An offended heart is the breeding ground for deception.
John Bevere gave this message a long time ago, he titled it, “The Bait of Satan.”
He gave two categories that you can usually divide offended people into:
- Those who have been mistreated
- Those who think they’ve been mistreated {received wrong information or discerned incorrectly – they’ve criticized not discerned!}
If you have been legitimately mistreated — do you have a right to be offended? No! Not according to God’s Word. I heard this statement once, “A person who cannot forgive — is a person who has forgotten what they’ve been forgiven of!” You need to give it over to God and let Him bring justice to the situation!
Matthew 5:44 says to love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, do good to those who hate you. {AMEN or OUCH}
Acts 24:16 says we need to exercise the ability to not get offended. It takes work to not get offended!!! It takes discipline!
Romans 2:4, “Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind He has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?”
You need to create an atmosphere of goodness in your life and in your sphere of influence. Every where you go people should be blessed because – everything about you is a blessing. Bless those who have hurt you, done you {or your family} wrong, rubbed you the wrong way – whether out of sheer ignorance or even on purpose. He has done it for us and we are to share it with others.
“Can’t see the forest for the trees” is like not being able to see God’s plan for your life ’cause you’re so focused on the big, nubby tree in the front line.
God wants you to look past the obstacles and see the bigger picture!!!
on another note….
Great post Shash. My hubby and I have been trying to live by these words a lot lately. it's hard – sometime we have wanted to run with our little family and go hide in those trees!! but we didn't. But I feel like I have been forgiving, forgiving, forgiving for a long time. But that's what Jesus would do, right?