020: I Thought I Had Forgiven Them—Until God Showed Me This

In this episode, Brett revisits the deeply intertwined topics of stress, offense, and forgiveness, sharing how his spiritual journey has transformed his response to life's challenges. Inspired by John Bevere's teachings—especially The Bait of Satan and The Awe of God—Brett reflects on how offense and unresolved bitterness are subtle but destructive traps that pull believers out of alignment with God's will. He shares that true forgiveness and the ability to handle offense don't come from willpower alone but through being filled daily with the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit, especially self-control. Brett emphasizes that while offense is inevitable, how we respond is a choice. Personal development helped him grasp this initially, but it wasn't until surrendering fully to God that he began to walk it out consistently. Drawing from his own experiences—including past relationships, workplace struggles, and spiritual revelations—he challenges listeners to examine their own hearts and ask God to reveal anyone they still need to forgive, even from decades ago. Key Takeaways: Offense is a trap: According to Jesus and Bevere, offense is inevitable, but harboring it leads to bitterness, resentment, and ultimately separation from God. Forgiveness is not optional: True freedom comes from daily surrender and actively forgiving—even those long forgotten or buried in the past. Stress and offense are linked: Our emotional responses to people and events are often shaped by unresolved internal wounds; healing starts with spiritual alignment. The Holy Spirit empowers change: It's only through the Holy Spirit's presence that we can consistently respond with love, grace, and self-control.   FREE RESOURCES The Sower's Scorecard - Were you planted in good soil and bearing fruit or cast among thorns? Take this assessment to find out! My faith revival started with the  Oceans Church podcast. I have never been to a church that has such powerful teaching in my life and has made a huge impact on me. If you aren't attending a local church I highly recommend you start listening to Pastor Mark Francey.  Messenger X App - A great resource by Messenger International started by John and Lisa Bevere. You can watch videos and listen audio books for FREE to grow in your faith.  The John Bevere Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-john-bevere-podcast/id1744019971