https://odb.org/2025/03/06/not-easily-offended
Proverbs 19:11 – Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
I believe one of the toughest emotions for humans to control is anger and offence. This was on display for all the world to see when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently met President Donald Trump at the Oval Office, which ended disastrously. Trump’s reaction was swift as he suspended US military aid to Ukraine the next day or two. There were indications that Vice President JD Vance and Trump baited Zelenskyy. But then a seasoned politician would have sensed that a mile away and should have been alert enough not to take the bait. Instead, he escalated the situation! As much as many do not like Trump, he was right to say that Ukraine has no cards without the US, and good diplomacy is always to ensure that one gets the cards one way or another. Thus, if Zelenskyy had remained humble and followed Proverbs 19:11 by overlooking the wrong (the baiting), he would have come out on top at the Oval Office meeting.
However, as human beings, it is usually exceptional for us to be able to overlook wrongs and not get offended. It is an unfortunate human condition. In fact, the higher we are in the pecking order, the more respect we demand. People at the top have the liberty to pick on anything and blast us if they want to, and usually, any attempt at defending or justifying ourselves will make us look “defensive” as though we were wrong in the first place. Not a question of who is really right or wrong, but who is the more powerful one in the room and our relationship with that person. Some people say we can not have a room full of yesmen, and that’s true, but it requires extreme tact to put a contrary view across a room full of egoistic and powerful people. That is why Proverbs 19:11 is very wise – sensible people control their temper. They don’t get angry easily, especially if it is not their place to get angry.
I find that personally, as I get older, I get grumpier and sometimes easily get offended and upset. Maybe it is part of growing old. Maybe it is because I am more senior in terms of life experience or have achieved more in terms of monetary wealth. It is not a good trait, though, when our bodies have various afflictions. Getting too angry may lead to a stroke or a heart attack! They say, if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!
Today’s message is a reminder of ancient wisdom taught by the LORD God through Solomon. Just a few words, but it contains a gem of advice! A sensible person indeed is slow to anger and does not easily get offended! Apply it, it will be better for our overall well-being!
Ronnie's Thoughts 