Troublemaker Or Peacemaker?

Read Proverbs 10

Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

Proverbs 10:12

Some people don’t just wake up on the wrong side of the bed, it almost seems they were born there! Mad at the world, they pick fights, agitate, and cause problems—as a way of life.

In stark contrast are those who live by love. They make it their goal to create an atmosphere where confession, confrontation, forgiveness, and contentment lead to peace. The Hebrew verb translated “makes up for” doesn’t mean “conceals.” It means “forgives.” The idea is that love has no desire to rub someone’s nose in his or her mistakes (1 Corinthians 13:5; James 5:20). The goal of love is to resolve offenses and problems. Once love makes up for an issue, it’s over!

When conflicts arise, do you keep them stirred up or do you work toward resolution? God always knows our true intentions. We need his supernatural help in order to succeed at loving and forgiving.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Learn how love makes up for all offenses.

Today, Lord, I want to be an instrument of peace and healing. Keep me from bitterness, and enable me to forgive and to love.