Letting love cover all offenses is not as easy as it sounds. Proverbs 10:12 points out why it’s easier said than done. “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12)
What an important and powerful word picture Proverbs 10:12 gives about anger toward others. We can “stir up” wounds or “cover” them with love and understanding.
If we choose to “stir up,” we put the spoon of rehearsing hurts and misunderstandings into a pot of boiling mud and grime. Then we stir, stir, and stir causing any moisture of grace and mercy to evaporate. Then the mass solidifies into a hardened brick.
After such rehearsing, we want to throw a hardened brick formed by bitterness and resentment. We are easily tempted to hurl it at the offending party when she seems to be responding to us in hurtful ways. Or we think we feel better about ourselves by stacking brick after brick, building a wall of separation and distrust.
On the other hand, “covering” up is like taking the lid of that pot and securing it on top and throwing away the spoon. The lid is the forgiveness Jesus secured for us, which we did not earn nor deserve. We recognize how much we have been forgiven and must humbly apply it toward others.
No longer can we see the attractiveness of the boiling anger or have something to stir it with. Then we can gladly take the covered pot and throw it all away—even if it’s as heavy as a brick.
Ponder on these verses from Proverbs as you think of heart attitudes which can overcome bitterness and misunderstandings.
11:2: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
11:12: Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
11:27: Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
12:18: There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19:11: Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
20:22: Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
Which of these heart attitudes is one you want to grow in? How will you do that in God’s power?
Kathy
Kathy Collard Miller is an award-winning, best-selling author of 62 non-fiction books including a women’s Bible study on The Proverbs titled, Heart Wisdom: Daughters of the King Bible Study Series. Her newest book will be published in August, 2024, titled Anger Management—Jesus Style. Her other books include a women’s Bible study series, Bible commentaries, Christian living topics, and compiled books.
Kathy is also an international and national speaker in over 30 US states and 9 foreign countries. She loves to share at women’s retreats, writing conferences, and MomCo (MOPS) groups. Kathy and her husband, Larry, married in 1970 and write and speak together at marriage seminars. They live in Boise, Idaho and have two children and two grandchildren.
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Loretta
Loretta, thank you so much for sharing my ideas. The Proverbs is such a blessing from God. I hope my post blesses your readers.
You are welcome! You’re article is spot-on and I thank you for sharing.