Proverbs 12:16 “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”
Proverbs 19:11 “A man’s wisdom gives him patience, it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
How strange and careless it seems to simply overlook an insult. It feels lazy and weak to just let it go. Isn’t something important lost by ignoring an offense and not defending myself? Isn’t it a sign of apathy to avoid all the drama and just shrug it off? Actually, no. These proverbs state that it is the wise, patient, and far-sighted man who overlooks an insult. It is to the man’s glory, not his shame, to ignore it. In dozens of interactions with people throughout the day there will be ample occasions to feel offended or to receive a cold shoulder, a thoughtless word, a hostile glare, a putdown. Ignoring these things not only is glorious, but shows a glimpse of God’s grace and forgiveness to the one who inadvertently or intentionally offends.
Father, these verses have helped me tremendously in recent years when for so long I felt the need to respond back to those who insulted me. Indeed, life goes so much better when I forgive and overlook these things – when I give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Thank you that I can be secure in your love for me, despite the world’s opinion of me at the moment.