A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11
Dear Lord Jesus, I just got “busted” by the gospel, reading these words of yours this morning. First of all, I regale you as the consummate “over-looker,” when it comes to relating to me day by day and moment by moment. It’s not that you don’t take my annoying ways seriously… It’s not that you play make-believe when I do foolish, irritating things… It’s not that you’re conflict avoidant. It’s just that your heart is so much bigger than mine. You’re so forbearing, forgiving and patient with me, and I really do want to be more like you, Jesus.
This side of glorification, I don’t really expect to be annoyance-free. But certainly, the gospel is big enough to help me show my annoyance less quickly, less often and less harmfully. And certainly the gospel is powerful enough to help me repent quicker when I do act like a fool-taking every insult, offence, cut, quip and quirk way too seriously.
So, Jesus, give me all the grace and wisdom I need to know what to take seriously… and what simply to overlook. Give me gospel big-heartedness and gospel thick-skin-ness.
I don’t want to keep a record of annoying things done around me or to me. I don’t want to put every intentional or non-intentional slight, or aggressive or passive-aggressive comment on my iPod and then push the replay button. What possible good can come from that?
In fact, Jesus, I ask you to help me be far more aware of when I’m being unnecessarily annoying or irritating to others. I may think I’m being funny or cute when I’m actually, being insensitive and careless… with my words, my body language or my “freedoms.”
Jesus, help me to give others less reasons to need this prayer when they’re around me… so very Amen, I pray, in your loving and kind name.
