“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
When you’re dealing with people who are offensive or irritating, you need to look past the behavior to the pain.
Everything we do is motivated by something. When people hurt others, it’s because they’re hurting on the inside. Hurt people hurt other people.
The more you understand about someone’s background, the more grace you’ll show them. Think of a person you find to be difficult or irritating. You probably know nothing about their background, so you don’t cut them any slack.
You don’t know that maybe they lost their parents at a young age. You don’t know that maybe they were molested. You don’t know that maybe they’ve gone through two marriages and their spouse just walked out on them. You don’t know their story, and that’s part of why you’re not showing them any grace.
The Bible says in Proverbs 19:11, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (NIV). It’s easy to take offense from people you find difficult. But when you’re wise, you don’t get offended easily. Why? Because wisdom gives you patience.
When you patiently take the time to understand someone’s background, you understand the stress they’re under—and it’s easier to show grace. Your understanding gives you the patience to overlook the offense.
What I’m talking about here is real love. In fact, the Bible says refusing to be offended by other people is actually an act of mature love. The more love you have in your heart, the harder it is for someone to personally offend you. The less love you have in your heart, the more insecure you feel and the easier it is to offend you.
Proverbs 10:12 says, “Love overlooks the wrongs that others do” (CEV). The more you’re filled with love, the less you’ll be upset when people are demanding, demeaning, or disapproving.
When you encounter a difficult person, remember to do this: Look past the behavior to the pain. Then refuse to be offended and, instead, respond in love.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Discover God’s Pathway to Healing and Wholeness!
Everyone faces challenges in life—but you don’t have to stay stuck in them!
The Life’s Healing Choices Bible study from Pastor Rick offers a powerful, biblically grounded pathway to freedom and transformation.
Rooted in the Beatitudes of Jesus, this 8-session video* and workbook study will guide you to . . .
• Break free from pain and unhealthy habits. • Find true happiness and experience spiritual growth. • Build a life of wholeness and healing in Christ.
The Life’s Healing Choices Bible study is our thanks for your gift below to help take the hope of Jesus to more people through Daily Hope—so request your copy today!
We’re grateful for your partnership!
*Video is available in DVD or streaming formats. The workbook will be mailed to you.
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
