I have a confession… A good number of Sunday nights you will find me snuggled in bed watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Yes, I’ve seen every episode.  While I’m not here to discuss the merits or lack thereof in watching reality TV, I do want to take some time to look at what happens when one gets their feelings hurt, the words begin to flow, and it’s all put on display for the public to see.

We’ve all had our feelings hurt at one time or another. We’ve suffered disappointment and betrayal. There was the “friend” you found out had been gossiping about you behind your back, the co-worker who presented your idea as their own, the boyfriend you blatantly caught cheating who lied about it. All of this presents an opportunity to make a choice.

A few weeks ago, at bible study somehow we ended up on the topic of being offended.  The phrase is actually to “take offense.”  The word “take” is particularly important because it makes the action active rather than passive. Well, what’s the difference between the two?  When something is passive, you’re not directly doing the acting. Someone or something else is. When an action is active, you are directly responsible for it.  You are taking the offense.  It is a choice.  That being said, just because someone offers you something doesn’t mean that you have to take it.  Do you run out and buy every single item advertised on TV? So why is it that every time that someone says or does something negative toward us we take it in, spend time with it, and blow it up to make it even bigger?

As many saw on social media this week, Rob Kardashian decided to take action after his child’s mother did some things that hurt him (Side note- If you’re not familiar with the situation, I’m going to do you a favor and spare you the details because they aren’t necessarily pertinent to where I’m going with this anyways). The point is that he TOOK offense. It was his choice to be offended.  It was his choice to seek revenge.

Let’s use the relationship between Jesus and Judas as our case study so that you can draw the parallels between it and the previously mentioned situation.  Judas was someone who was a part of Jesus’ inner circle.  Jesus selected him as such, and as a result, three things happened: 1. He experienced what it was like to become a part of a close-knit group (Luke 6:13-16); 2. He experienced increased attention and exposure as a result of being close to Jesus (Mark 3:20); 3. He saw Jesus’ own family even begin to question his mental state (Mark 3:21).  I don’t know about you, but this sounds vaguely familiar to a little situation I mentioned above.

We all know that Judas betrayed Jesus, but let’s focus on the fact that he did it with a kiss (Matthew 26:49).  This is important because back in those times, a kiss was not just a sign of romance.  On the contrary, it was a greeting denoting deep respect, honor, and brotherly love.  So, Judas used a symbol of love and respect to betray Jesus.  But this is the kicker…Jesus already knew it was going to happen. It had been prophesied years before (Psalm 41:9), and he foretold it himself (Matthew 26:21-25).

My goal here isn’t necessarily to directly compare Rob to Jesus and Chyna to Judas because quite frankly, there is no comparison. But I do believe that there are lessons that we can learned from this situation and others that are similar to it.

Jesus was conscious and observant. As many on social media like to say, he was “woke.” He knew and believed the scriptures, so he was prepared for whatever came his way.  When all was said and done, how did Jesus respond? He stayed about his Father’s business.  That’s the difference.  He didn’t take offense; he took the cross.

The deception, the disappointment, and the unfortunate circumstances will come.  How are you going to choose to respond to them?  Will you fire back only to tarnish your own reputation, or will you be about your Father’s business continuing to carry out the vision He has for you?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11