When You’re Dissed
When You’re Dissed
A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. (Prov. 19:11)
Get Even?
It happens without warning. A driver cuts you off on the freeway. A joke is made at work at your expense. A buddy disses your car, somebody from church judges you without really knowing you, and even your kids make fun of your favorite team. Feel like you’re the Old Testament version of sackcloth, ashes, and boils? Well, you could get even.
But getting even never really evens the score, does it? In fact, revenge is a bitter poison that affects the vessel it’s carried in. That’s why God says, “Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay,” (Rom. 12:19). It’s easy to get caught up as judge and jury, so next time you’re insulted or offended, remember Proverbs 19:11, and you’ll find a much better way to deal with your anger than seeking revenge.
No, Get Wise
Consider the source of the criticism. Often you’ll find that the one dissing you is full of pain and hurt, and the only way he knows to relate to others is through hurtful words and actions. When you begin to see that person as one who needs God’s grace to help him change, you begin to acquire patience in dealing with him. God even gives you the strength to overlook his offense.
Even Jesus had to endure insults, but He chose not to retaliate (see 1 Pet. 2:23). Instead, He gave Himself over to the only One capable of judging correctly. May God give you the wisdom to do the same.
Bottom Line
Learn to overlook insults by putting yourself in God’s hands and letting go of the offense.