The New King James Version gives a name to these inevitable temptations that trap or snare us. It calls them offenses. Usually, offense comes when you are sorely disappointed by something you see, hear, or experience. If we allow that disappointment to linger long enough, it will alter the way we think and behave.
If we don’t act immediately, before long, that disappointment will produce a root of bitterness inside us. A life trapped in bitterness only brings misery and destruction. The problem is: it’s so easy to fall into its trap, and really difficult to break free – unless we act quickly and deliberately. If you know disappointment has got you stuck, the time to act is now. Jesus said we have absolutely no option but to forgive whoever caused that disappointment, even if it’s yourself.
As you forgive, you release that offense and it loses its power over you. Then to keep free, ask the Holy Spirit to flood your heart with His love and deliberately extend it towards the one who disappointed you. God’s love will prevent you from ever getting caught in the trap of offense again.