“A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.”  
Proverbs 12:16 NLT

What wisdom is given to us for this brand new week!  Surely something may be said or done in the coming days that could cause insult or offense.  If that happens, let us remember the wise words found in this Proverb and ask ourselves:

How will we respond?  Will we be quick tempered, showing our annoyance at once, thus acting as a fool?  Or will we overlook an insult (NIV), stay calm when insulted (NLT), essentially ignoring that which caused the offense (ESV)?

The Bible teaches us that:
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11 ESV)

“…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” 
(James 1:19)

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  
(2 Corinthians 10:20)

“Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”  (Colossians 3:13)

“[Love] is not rude;it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked (nor overly sensitive and easily angered); it does not take into account a wrong endured.”  
(1 Corinthians 13:5 Amplified)

Contentment. Forgiveness. Love. We could certainly add humility. Big heart issues exposed by what is often a brief comment, disrespectful attitude, or unloving gesture made by someone else. 

What a good God we serve, that He would use that which would otherwise upset us to actually do heart work within us, as only He can. May we say, and continue to say, day by day, moment by moment, “Lord, have your way in me!”