Proverbs 19:11 “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
Rather than letting his feathers get ruffled the wise man lets it go and smiles because God doesn’t think of him that way. There are many who go about stirring up trouble and making offensive insinuations. How I respond reflects how I think about God. If I am secure in his love, then I do not have to defend myself against every little offense or even feel the need to respond at all. If I am living in dependence on God, then I will give him room to defend me himself. How much wiser to get out of the way and let God be my defender.
Father, in the inevitable friction of today’s interactions with difficult people, please keep me from taking offense. You are my defender. I know you love me and have called me to meaningful work. May I keep my eyes on you and what you have called me to do today, not on what people say or do that might be offensive. I don’t want to be distracted from the joy of experiencing you.
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