Overlooked
People and things get overlooked. Maybe you’ve felt the sting of being overlooked for a position or promotion. Or maybe you yourself have overlooked the facts and passed wrong judgement. A detective may fail in overlooking important clues. Details are overlooked. Things get overlooked. But there is one thing that is to our credit to overlook.
A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11 NIV)
Overlook means to “look past”, “to fail to notice”. All of us have failed at things, some of us more than others, but failing to notice an offense is a respectable and virtuous failure.
People need mercy during times of difficulty; you included. Mercy is a drink of fresh water to one who is suffering under the burden of stress, trial, or anxiety. Jesus forgave us as believers of many an offense against Him. In fact, He forgave us of every offense against Him. Should we not do the same?
When we overlook an offense we release not only the offender, but ourselves. Holding onto an offense limits our view of a person and defines them by the offense. It causes blindness. This blindness gets multiplied by gossip which publicly defines a person by their limitations and sins. But by looking beyond the sting of hurt, by lifting our eyes over and beyond the offense, we get a glimpse of who that person is in God’s eyes. We are actually unlocking the prison door and offering that person freedom from their prison cell; for forgiveness is freeing.
Believe it or not, some people know when they are being offensive and actually feel remorseful about it. Our patient endurance towards them creates an environment where they can move beyond the guilt caused by the fruit of their turmoiled hearts into the “beyond” where there is peace. But holding on to an offense has the opposite affect, it simply exacerbates and stirs the emotional turmoil. It adds weight to the chains that are holding them. Still, regardless of whether or not you see any remorse from the offending person, it is to your glory, your credit, to overlook that offense.
Perhaps you find yourself in this position; stress levels are running high and offense seems to be the norm. God’s word is a reminder to us and is powerful to enlighten and change. I am praying for you, that His words and this encouragement will by His grace give you the strength to overlook every offense and bring an atmosphere of peace to your home.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18 NIV)
for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:20 ESV)
People and things get overlooked. Maybe you’ve felt the sting of being overlooked for a position or promotion. Or maybe you yourself have overlooked the facts and passed wrong judgement. A detective may fail in overlooking important clues. Details are overlooked. Things get overlooked. But there is one thing that is to our credit to overlook.
A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11 NIV)
Overlook means to “look past”, “to fail to notice”. All of us have failed at things, some of us more than others, but failing to notice an offense is a respectable and virtuous failure.
People need mercy during times of difficulty; you included. Mercy is a drink of fresh water to one who is suffering under the burden of stress, trial, or anxiety. Jesus forgave us as believers of many an offense against Him. In fact, He forgave us of every offense against Him. Should we not do the same?
When we overlook an offense we release not only the offender, but ourselves. Holding onto an offense limits our view of a person and defines them by the offense. It causes blindness. This blindness gets multiplied by gossip which publicly defines a person by their limitations and sins. But by looking beyond the sting of hurt, by lifting our eyes over and beyond the offense, we get a glimpse of who that person is in God’s eyes. We are actually unlocking the prison door and offering that person freedom from their prison cell; for forgiveness is freeing.
Believe it or not, some people know when they are being offensive and actually feel remorseful about it. Our patient endurance towards them creates an environment where they can move beyond the guilt caused by the fruit of their turmoiled hearts into the “beyond” where there is peace. But holding on to an offense has the opposite affect, it simply exacerbates and stirs the emotional turmoil. It adds weight to the chains that are holding them. Still, regardless of whether or not you see any remorse from the offending person, it is to your glory, your credit, to overlook that offense.
Perhaps you find yourself in this position; stress levels are running high and offense seems to be the norm. God’s word is a reminder to us and is powerful to enlighten and change. I am praying for you, that His words and this encouragement will by His grace give you the strength to overlook every offense and bring an atmosphere of peace to your home.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18 NIV)
for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:20 ESV)
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