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

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Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense. (ESV)

Sensible people control their temper;
they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. (NLT)

Smart people know how to hold their tongue;
their grandeur is to forgive and forget. (MSG)

Patience, like self-control, is a gift we give ourselves. Patience saves us from ourselves. It prevents so many problems. It solves so many others. 

Proverbs 16:32 says, “Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.” The New Living Translation puts it this way: “Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”

Having to exercise patience makes me remember one of my favorite all-purpose questions: What does this make possible? Waiting gives us space to breathe and relax. It gives us room to pray. It gives us time to think, “What if?” It gives the opportunity to consider alternatives.

Patience keeps a foot or two out of our mouths. Patience sinks roots deeper. Patience grows taller treetops. Patience provides peace. Patience reminds us of purpose. 

Patience helps us see things from the other person’s perspective. Patience prevents us from wounding someone unnecessarily. Patience saves relationships. Patience strengthens friendships. 

Patience empowers us to overlook offenses. Patience may well be our best defense against the dangers of emotional turmoil. 

How do we exercise patience? Breathe deeply and slowly. Repeat at least three times. Pray when you prefer to speak. Listen when you prefer to rant. Relax when you prefer to fight. 

Patience makes us hard to offend. Patience is the virtue that results in peace.

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I will exercise patience until it becomes a defining strength in my life.

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Our Father, before me today are ample opportunities to practice patience. Give me the strength to cool my jets, to calm my nerves, and to shut my mouth. Amen.