EYES UP!
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
Have you ever been deeply offended by something someone said or did to you? Have you ever had to bite your tongue, walk away or take a deep breath to keep an internal explosion of anger from surfacing? We’ve all been there, and recently, when an internal power keg detonated over a careless comment, this verse surfaced instead:
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11 ESV). As I recited this verse over and over to myself, I kept getting stuck on one word—overlook. That is an intriguing word. When you overlook something, you shift your gaze elsewhere. You literally look above it. You choose to set your focus above what’s causing you to be offended.
I took the verse as a reminder from God that in every situation, I have the power to choose where I focus. When I focus on the offense, I become angry, bitter and less like Christ. But when I set my mind on things that are above (see Colossians 3:1-2) and focus on Christ, I see who I am aiming to become more like—and that fills me with peace, joy and strength.
Finally, looking up is an act of worship. It's an act of trust that God can handle this, and an act of faith in His promise to make all things right. It’s saying, God, I know You see what’s happening, and I trust You with it. Please make me more Christ-like through this.
APPLICATION: Take a moment to think about the last time you were offended. How did you react? What was the result of that reaction? Now, commit Proverbs 19:11 to memory and consider how you want to respond the next time an offense comes. Pray for God’s help to respond like this.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, which reminds us that I can choose a better way than the world’s way of dealing with anger. You were offended above anything I could ever bear, and yet You still chose to love and not lash out. Help me today to be slow to anger and keep my eyes up on You—especially when offenses come. I love You and worship You for showing me a better way! Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?