Fools Show Annoyance

A fool shows his annoyance at once,but a prudent man [or woman] overlooks an insult.

Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)

Okay, ladies, let’s take this one home. Honestly, do you sometimes make others feel that they have to walk on eggshells when they’re around you? Let me tell you three things that are not excuses: hormones, having a bad day, being in a bad mood. Your kids or friends should never say, “Oh, you know Mom. She’s in one of her moods.” Shame on us.

So let’s press into the second part of our proverb. “But [in contrast] a prudent man [or woman] overlooks an insult.”

First Corinthians 13:5 says, “[Love] is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (NIV). Easier said than done, yes, but totally worth doing. Let me test you on this. If you are fuming about something—a fight you had with your sister, or someone at work you’re mad at—does the next little annoyance set you off like a bomb? Do you ever just vent at an innocent bystander? The key here is to defuse the bomb.

To defuse the bomb we need to empty the explosives. How do we do that? I know no better place than the foot of the Cross. Have you been cranky, edgy, irritable, short-fused? Believe 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV). Kneeling at the Cross, releasing your anger—this defuses the bomb.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

If you tend to build up steam over matters, will you get in the habit of asking yourself these questions? Is this really worth fighting over? Is this worth losing sleep over? Is this worth damaging my relationship over? What do I really gain if I win or retaliate?

Conflict is always expensive in wasted time, energy, and emotions. Will you ask the Lord to help you learn to overlook offenses? “A man’s [woman’s] wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11, NIV).

Let’s Pray

Lord, help me to come to you when the steam starts to build. I need your grace—grace for my angry heart, and grace for others too.

One Year Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 26:1–27:26; Luke 10:38–11:13; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 12:15-17