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A woman’s discretion makes her slow to anger,

And it is her glory to overlook an offense.

~ Proverbs 19:11

 

Good morning dear sister!

Happy February 19th! Since we are all trying to rise to Pastor’s challenge to read a chapter of Proverbs every day, I thought it might be nice to ponder a verse from today’s chapter. Regarding that challenge, how is it going for you? Did you find this verse in your reading today?

Sometimes I miss a couple of days. If that happens to you, don’t lose heart, just pick up on whatever day it is and start again from there. God’s Word is living and active, He will speak to your Spirit and teach you if you are willing to be taught. I’ve found that, over the months, every chapter does eventually get read and some verses are even becoming familiar!

I chose this particular verse because it seems relatable to me. Maybe it does to you too. We all have certain people in our lives who we love, but they just seem bent on offending us somehow. They know exactly which buttons to push and seem to delight in reminding us of our shortcomings, mistakes, past offenses etc. 

And then there’s the stranger, you know, the one in another car or in line and they’re just plain rude, impatient or ornery. Sometimes we are treated unjustly or our kindness is repaid not so kindly. We must remember that, for now, we live in a fallen world, but God has placed us here and He has an assignment for each of us! Every time we are offended or treated unjustly is an excellent opportunity to put our discretion to work!

So, what is discretion anyway? Proverbs talks about discretion a lot. A person of discretion has the qualities of being judicious (showing good judgement), prudence (acting with thought to the future), and a sense of care and watchfulness so as not to offend the Lord in one's actions and decisions. Discretion is often associated with walking in wisdom and understanding, acting in a manner that is in line with God’s will. 

This is a difficult thing to call to mind when a person is getting on our nerves, but that is the very reason God wants us to grow in the discipline of discretion! It is glorifying to God when we can control our tongues and tempers. When we are tempted to respond in anger, discretion says, “wait a minute, just slow down, is what I’m about to say judicious? Hold on, how will this affect my relationship with this person in the future? Are the words I’m thinking right now pleasing to the Lord?”

If you can step back for a moment and run those three things through your mind, that is called being ‘slow to anger’. God knows you get angry, he knows that people say hurtful things to you, but He is pleased when you don’t respond in kind. “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly.” (1 Peter 2:19) 

He promises that He will take care of the one who has offended us! “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay’, says the Lord.” ( Romans 12:19)

Enduring mistreatment is a little easier when we trust in God to fight our battles. When we don’t fight back or lower ourselves to the other person’s level we not only look more wise, patient and sure of ourselves, but saintly too! Our lack of needing to defend ourselves proves that we are sure of the One who loves us, who is stronger, wiser and more powerful than our worst adversary. 

Our behavior is either a good testimony glorifying God or not. When we behave in a way that glorifies Him, a little of His glory shines through us as well! That is the testimony that speaks to those who are blind and deaf to God.

So, the next time we feel like slinging a few arrows back at someone, let’s take a moment to look to the Lord, He is our defender! Recall His promises! Remember who you are and Whose you are! We are ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, with the only solution of life and peace for a lost and dying world!

My beloved sister, keep loving Jesus and moving forward!

In His love, your sister, Celeste