I’ll be honest, I’ve lost hours of sleep over people’s words. A comment here, an opinion there, and suddenly, my mind is racing. Why did they say that? Do they think that about me? Should I respond? It’s exhausting. I’ve let the words of others control my peace, dictate my emotions, and rob me of joy.
But I’ve also wondered: How did Jesus handle this?
Jesus was called names, betrayed by His closest friends, and mocked publicly. Yet, He never let offense take root in His heart. John Mark Comer, a well-known author, once said, "We are His appearance, so we must become like Him and be unoffendable." That hit me hard. If I’m truly trying to follow Jesus, I have to learn how to let things go.
The Weight of Words
Words are powerful. They can either build someone up or tear them down. Research shows that 65% of young people say they’ve been hurt by someone’s words; whether online, in school, or at home. And 1 in 3 teens struggles with feeling overly sensitive to what others say about them. But this isn’t just a youth problem.
Adults deal with it too. A coworker makes a passive-aggressive comment, a family member criticizes a decision, or a friend posts something that feels like a personal jab. How often do we let words dictate our emotions? Proverbs 18:21 NIV The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. That’s a big deal. People’s words can wound us; but only if we let them.
Jesus and the Power to Overlook
Think about Jesus. If anyone had the right to be offended, it was Him. He was lied about, insulted, and ultimately crucified. Yet, how did He respond?
On the night before His death, Judas betrayed Him, selling Him out for 30 pieces of silver. Peter denied even knowing Him, not once, but three times. The rest of the disciples scattered, abandoning Him in His darkest moment.
Yet, Jesus didn’t lash out or hold a grudge in His final moments on the cross. Instead, He said:
Luke 23:34 NIV “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
If Jesus, mocked, beaten, and abandoned, chose forgiveness over offense, why do we let an offhand comment wreck our day?
How to Let It Go and Grab God Instead
ONE | KNOW WHO YOU ARE
The opinions of others don’t define you. God’s Word does. If you let people’s words shape your identity, you’ll always be at their mercy. Instead, anchor yourself in what God says about you. Colossians 3:3 NIV For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. That means your worth isn’t up for debate, it’s already secure.
TWO | OVERLOOK SMALL OFFENSES
Not every comment deserves a response. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is let it go. Proverbs 19:11 NIV A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense. If someone throws shade, you don’t have to catch it. Instead of engaging in drama, choose peace. Keep your eyes on what matters, not on what people say.
THREE | RESPOND WITH LOVE, NOT EMOTION
It’s easy to react when someone says something hurtful, but Jesus shows us a different way.
Matthew 5:44 NIV But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, That’s hard to do, but when you pray for someone who hurt you, your heart starts to shift. You move from bitterness to peace, anger to healing. The goal isn’t just to ignore offense, but to be so filled with God’s love that it doesn’t take root in the first place.
FOUR | LET GOD HANDLE IT
You don’t have to fight every battle. Sometimes, the best response is no response. Exodus 14:14 NIV The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. When someone wrongs you, trust that God sees it, knows it, and will handle it. Holding onto anger and offense only hurts you; so release it and let God take care of the rest.
FINAL CHALLENGE: WILL YOU LET IT GO?
I know how hard it is not to let people’s words affect you. But the more I look at Jesus, the more I realize there’s freedom in letting go. You don’t have to be weighed down by what others say, you were made for more.
So here’s my challenge: Next time someone says something hurtful, pause. Take a deep breath, remind yourself who you are in Christ, and let it go. Instead of allowing their words shape your emotions, let God’s truth define you.
You were created to walk in peace, not offense. The world doesn’t need more hurt, bitter, or easily offended Christians. It needs followers of Jesus who are unshakable.
Here’s a prayer to help us: "God, help me to release offense and hold onto You. Teach me to see myself through Your eyes, not the words of others. Give me strength to forgive and wisdom to know when to walk away. Remind me that You fight my battles, and I don’t have to carry the weight of people’s opinions. Amen."
Remember, the best is yet to come. If you need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to reach out: 601-310-9511. You’re not in this alone.
