11 A person’s insight gives him patience,
and his virtue is to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11 CSB)

This may be one of the most difficult things we are asked to do in scripture.

Overlooking offense goes against our sensibilities.

But what is at play here? Simply, pride.

Pride causes us to not be willing to overlook offense and can often have devastating impact upon relationships. Especially when the offense we cannot seem to overlook is not recognized by others.

This is why our scripture calls out tow other traits needed to accomplish this task; Insight and Patience.

Insight can help us to better understand another’s point of view and, possibly, see their reasoning for an offense.

Patience provides us with time to either work through the offense with others or to allow the sting to fade.

No matter what, overlooking offense requires faith and trust in God.