Dear friends, this post is intended as an encouragement towards those who may be suffering unjustly as a result of being misunderstood or even just facing the prejudice of those offended at them.

It is very important that we realise that even when facing such circumstances, we have to keep our hearts pure and filled with the Presence of the Holy Spirit. We should never find ourselves in a place of bitterness or even aim to defend our position or ourselves. Many times situations come our way and are allowed by God to test our hearts and our maturity!

If we are activated and triggered by circumstances through people who cause us to feel the need to rise in defence of ourselves, we have simply not grown to the place of self denial and to the position where we can, “forgive those who offend us, bless those who curse us and pray for those who dispitefully use us.”

This is a clear signal that too much of ourselves still lives in us and too little of Christ can be expressed through us. Our pride causes us to rise in our defence, or sometimes is so offended that it causes us to carry the scars of its injuries within us for months and years.

Sometimes these scars become permanent fixtures in those who do not come to a place of full surrender to Christ and to the place where they cannot only be healed from the scars, but delivered from themselves and from the spirit of pride which is harboured in themselves.

When easily offended and when carrying offense in your heart it will affect every relationship in your life. Pride will always insist that you are treated right. That you are recognised. That you come out on top of every argument or indifference. That you are treated with respect, honour and dignity.

Pride will always demand you to be at the top of the pile and the star attraction in every situation. In fact the star in your own life show. When not honoured by others in this light, immediate animosity will rise in your heart, which will lead to offence, hatred, revenge and the punishment of your victims.

This will continue to be a vicious cycle that will continue to grow and widen throughout your life. To those struggling with this condition it is a living hell on earth. Although they are angry with others and even acting out their anger, they know that the real problem lies not in those they are attacking and pointing fingers at, but lingers deep within themselves.
What is the remedy?

For those who are in a place where you recognise the beginning of these symptoms, act immediately to dismiss them! Forgive quickly and without reserve or reasons. Don’t wait for apologies from others. Don’t feel that you have a foot to stand on. Bend your knees and clear and clean your heart towards them.

For those deeply tangled into the depths of this bondage there is only one remedy. Fall on your face before God and repent! Cry your heart out and forgive every person He recollects to you unconditionally.

Once cleaned out, break with the spirit of pride, deny yourself and cast yourself at Jesus feet. Tell Him that you want to be a servant to Him and to all men. Ask Him to help you do this. Rise up in a new life and begin living out that which He will deposit in your heart when you do.

Here is a guarantee for those who will obey and follow Him in this way – You and your life will never be the same again! You will rise illuminated with His Spirit and in His Light and you will walk away completely free.

I write what I write here completely by the Spirit and as God is speaking this into my spirit and illuminating the words to my heart. You will feel it if you are reading this and if you needed to hear it and have to respond to His call.

Allow His Love to heal you!

~ Johann van der Hoven

Johann van der Hoven is in South Africa. He has been serving the Lord in ministry since 1991 and has hosted numerous apostolic revival meetings in South Africa and in South America. He also currently pioneers a organic church planting movement across South Africa. For more information about him and his ministry visit www.sonsofsovereignty.com or Revival.

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