Ellen Chat Conversation

# Ellen White's Counsel on Being Offended Ellen White addressed the tendency to take offense in several contexts, offering both warnings and remedies for this destructive habit. ## The Nature of Taking Offense Ellen White described how easily some people become offended by minor circumstances: > **"When driving in the street, if full half the road is not given you, you will feel stirred in a moment. If asked to put yourself out of your course to accommodate others, you will chafe and fret, and feel that your dignity is imposed upon."** (2T 424.3) She also noted that even among professing Christians, there are those who are constantly watching for opportunities to feel slighted. These individuals seize upon unfortunate words or lack of attention from friends and take offense, as though everything were designed to hurt them (YI June 10, 1897, par. 8). ## When Truth Causes Offense Ellen White explained that some become offended when hearing truth that touches their conscience: > **"They are self-condemned and feel that subjects have been purposely selected to touch their case. They feel grieved and injured, and withdraw themselves from the assemblies of the saints."** (1T 548.1) She warned that unless such individuals reform, they will lose their interest in truth and eventually take their position with those who oppose God's work. The solution, she emphasized, is to crucify fleshly lusts and remove the idols that make them vulnerable to conviction. ## The Remedy for an Offended Spirit For those struggling with an easily offended nature, Ellen White prescribed a radical solution. She wrote that simply resolving to be more calm and patient only touches the evil on the outside—it's like consenting to retain a lion and merely watching it. Instead, an entire change must take place. Strength of principle alone can dislodge this destroying foe and bring peace and happiness (2T 424.3). She also pointed out that lives characterized by taking offense are like gorgeous flowers without fragrance. Far better is the simple, unpretending character that blesses others with sweetness (YI June 10, 1897, par. 8). --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about cultivating a forgiving spirit toward those who wrong us? • How can we develop strength of principle to overcome destructive character traits? • What counsel did she give about responding to criticism or reproof? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=offended)