We are living in the day of the offended. Everybody seems to be offended at something or someone. When we speak we have to choose our words carefully because we are afraid we are going to offend someone by what we say.  We have to be careful what we name our business because for sure we will offend some people group by whatever name is chosen. Telling jokes of any kind is out of the question because you can be assured someone will get offended. We can’t be too patriotic  because we might offend someone of another culture.  And you sure can’t mention Jesus, the Bible or exhibit a cross or some non-Christian group might get offended and sue you. Shucks, there are even some politicians who get offended if you talk about abiding by the Constitution of the United States.  Everybody seems to be offended at something.

Now I think I am as compassionate as the next person and I don’t intentionally go around trying to offend anyone, but in the day and hour in which we live we have become too hyper-sensitive of offending someone and being offended. Classes are taught on how to be tolerant and not offend anyone. Please, give me a break. Last time I checked this is a free country where free speech still exists. My advice to all the easily super-offended people out there is the same advice my father gave me many years ago – GET OVER IT! We need to have classes that teach people how to GET OVER IT.

I saw on the news the other day where a woman from New York is suing her employer because her drive to work is too stressful. How is that her employer’s fault? My advice to her is – GET OVER IT! Millions have to drive to work every day in stressful traffic, but you don’t see them suing their boss. Go get another job if you don’t like the drive.

Pressure is being put on the Washington Redskins to change their name because they say the name is offensive to about 10% of the population. Does not the First Amendment still grant free speech? The owner of a football team can name his team whatever he likes. My advice is – GET OVER IT. If you don’t like the name of the team don’t pull for them, go pick a team whose name you do like. The only offensive part of the name to me is Washington, which is the part I think they ought to change for they offend me every day!

Being involved in sports all my life I have seen parents get upset and offended because someone who has won a championship gets a lot of press or has won a lot of awards through hard work, while their child, who is not willing to put in the work, doesn’t get the same attention or press. Well, GET OVER IT. Maybe if little Johnny or little Mary worked as hard at achieving goals as they do at complaining they might be on the receiving end of some of those awards. Awards are not an entitlement but must be earned.

As a minister for over forty years I have watched Christians pout if they get criticized or they don’t get their way or don’t get what they think is a “prime” job in the church. My advice is GET OVER IT. Let each Christian, without pouting or jealousy, perform in the function which God has gifted us and the Body of Christ would be a better witness and have a more powerful impact on a lost world.

When circumstance and situations go contrary to us, we too often bristle up like a porcupine, sulk and feel sorry for ourselves. GET OVER IT. We live in an imperfect and fallen world and everyone has contrary circumstance visit their lives. Don’t sulk, but dig your heels in that much deeper, trust the Good Lord and don’t give up.

While we are not to compromise our Biblical beliefs, there are many instances that occur in our lives we just need to get over it. We need to quit being so sensitive and wearing our feelings on our sleeves.  We need to quit thinking everything in life is supposed to go our way all the time. It is nice when it does, but when it doesn’t GET OVER IT and move on.

We have turned into a nation of victims instead of being persons who are victors. When the Pilgrims landed in the New World the first winter half of them died, but the ones who remained refused to throw in the towel. Their motto was GET OVER IT and don’t give up. Many of the 56 brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, lost their livelihoods, families, homes and some their lives. Their motto was GET OVER IT and don’t give up.

We need to quit being a nation filled with a bunch of weenies that get their feelings hurt and offended at the drop of a hat over anything and everything. GET OVER IT. When the  little boy was asked what he would do if he fell down on the playground and scraped his knee he wrote, “Get up and deal with it.” Out of the mouth of babes comes wisdom. If we fall down on the playground of life just get back up and deal with it. The best things in life happens to those who don’t sit around waiting for good to happen, but learn in life the best things happen to those who when life seems unfair and we are offended, GET OVER IT and move on. Life is too short to do otherwise.

Blessings,

Dr. Dan