Overlooking Offense
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11
You can know glory today, for someone will certainly offend you!
Many of us, when offended by others, choose to be hurt, plot our revenge, lash out in hostility and then bite back. This demonstrates a deficit of wisdom by yielding no patience, for only feelings rule our hearts in moments like these, not glory.
Wisdom chooses to resist the tempting urge to react revengefully when someone offends us. This is the mark of human maturity— only immature children quickly bite back, right? Thank God things are so much different now that we’ve grown up.
When we become offended, anger can quickly escalate us to a “temporary insanity,” which can easily cause us to misjudge an offense and retaliate out of proportion. Patience is the wise choice to regain our sanity before reacting to an offense.
We must choose a spirit that finds glory in forgiving those who hurt us, by choosing the way of overlooking personal minor offenses.
We will all most likely have opportunities to be offended today by someone. We’ll also have numerous opportunities to practice wisdom, patience, love, grace and glory.
What will we do?
Will we yield patience, overlook an offense, and glory in an opportunity to show the grace of Christ in our lives? Or will we bite back out of hurt feelings and pride, to only discover that we are proud fools in need of greater wisdom?
Ouch! I hate to admit it but my first reaction to offense is to usually “bite back”. Somehow for an instant biting back feels good. Benjamin Franklin said: When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water. The times in my life that I seem to “bite back” the most is when my “personal” well is dry. Water is refreshing to a thirsty soul. Thanks George, for this early morning kick in the pants.
Dang it George! Now when I bite someone’s head off today, I’m gonna feel guilty. Thanks a pad-load.
Way to tell ‘em George. Steve and Debbie needed to hear that
hahahahahahahahaha
Just kidding – I agree and am also guilty of “temporary insanity” more often than I should be.
Very well said. Thanks.
Um….I choose to not be offended. I choose to know Glory! Hey Pam, maybe you should re-read the blog.
Brother Steve: I’m with ya…I mean shame on you!