Be Unoffendable: Play the Game of Love

Is it just me or does it seem like it is popular to be pissed off?

Turn on the news, scroll through social media, or sit in on almost any conversation — it seems like offense is the new oxygen. People are quick to clap back, cancel, and condemn. We wear anger like armor, as if it gives us strength. But what if the real power isn’t in being offended… but in being unoffendable?

I picked up a Book by Brant Hansen with a radical idea for our era - Be “Unoffendable” as a conscious, radical decision to not let offense take root in your soul. A lifestyle decision to forgive before someone even asks. To cover it with love — not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace.

At coveritwithlove.com, one of our key principles is this: Choose the opposite. Do something different. Instead of hate, love. Instead of bitterness, bless. Instead of holding a grudge, hold your peace.

Living a life that is "offendable" is a choice, to love is a choice, it is a lifestyle, a decision to consciously make everyday

I was reminded of this recently in a sweet and powerful moment with my grandson. We were playing the “opposite game.” I’d say a word, and he’d call out the opposite:

“Hot!”

“Cold!”

“Up!”

“Down!”

“Mean!”

“Nice!”

And then I tried, “Hate!”

Without missing a beat, he said, “Love!”

Where hatred and anger sparks flights, love brings peace and forgiveness

We laughed, but I got quiet inside. Out of the mouths of babes. Love is the opposite of hate. But when was the last time we actually chose it?

What if every time we felt a jab of offense, we answered with gentleness? What if every time we were tempted to judge, we chose empathy? What if we made love our language?

I challenge anyone within the sound of my voice — and the reach of these words — to fill yourself with something new. Fill yourself with grace. Fill yourself with patience. Fill yourself with a stubborn, contagious, relentless love (my words for the year) that outlasts every insult and overlooks every offense.

May the stone of love David used to conquer the hatred of Goliath reign in your life. Speak a language that resonates with pleasing, gentle, kind tones — words that disarm, that heal, that unify. Be a giant-slayer in this world of division.

We don’t need more noise. We need more love.

Let’s cover it — all of it — with love. Promise?

Pinky promises - a vow of love, truth, support are unbreakable in our family and a legal agreement.