Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16
There is nothing more reassuring than a long fuse on a firecracker. I remember as a kid going out to the road and lighting a brick of fireworks. Now understand that I was without parental supervision in those days. My best friend and I had the best time. However, there was one catch. We would run across the occasional brick that had the short and quick-burning fuse. We would slowly bend down with the starter stick and lightly touch it to the fuse. Within seconds, the fuse violently burned, and the firecrackers were popping all over the place. Y’all, I was crazy. That was so dangerous. A short and quick fuse was nothing not at all safe. It was crazy.
That’s the way it is in a relationship, wich can built . We are generally the cause of our troubles because of how we react to situations that happen to us, and our reactions can affect how we relate to others.
A lack of judgment is reckless
I don’t care who you are, you’ve been insulted before. It could have been in elementary school or even within your marriage. And these insults create a violent and reckless response from you. It’s quick and often uncontrolled. You know your triggers, and I’m sure that you can think of what lights the short fuse and causes you to respond with this quick and sharp anger.
Some would say you don’t have patience. I think it goes a little deeper. I think it is possibly a pride issue in your life. Now before you get all mad and quickly become reckless because I called you prideful, let’s examine it. Pride is at the root of so much that you do that is unhealthy. But in terms of relationships, it is very destructive.
Pride says, “You can’t say that to me!” “I’m better than that.” “I don’t like to be insulted in front of others.” Ever been there? The visceral response can be toxic to a relationship and is often reckless without consideration of the other person.
Sound judgment wins the day
This sound judgment wins the day every time. But sound judgment isn’t always quick, but methodical and measured. There is nothing magical about being sensible when making decisions. However, someone who takes the time to act sensibly will often overlook an insult to save a relationship. That is why pridefulness is not helpful. It is difficult for a prideful person to overlook an insult.
You’ve been there. Someone says something about the way you dress, talk, walk or think and you snap like a brick of fireworks with a short fuse. The quick-strike is followed by the venom of careless speech intended to hurt and not help. You say to yourself, “There is no way I can overlook being harassed and insulted like that. I have to respond in like fashion. I can’t let it go.
However, you can. To overlook means to cover or ignore. I’m not going to lie. I’m not going to lie. It is a tough thing to do in the heat of an insult. We do want to strike back and hurt those who, with precision, insulted us for no seemingly good reason. So what is the advice for you when someone hurts you? You can either cover or ignore it.
When you cover it, you dig a hole, put the insult there, and cover it. You don’t bring it back up. When you cover the hole, forget where you buried it and never bring it up again. It’s over. You expressed wisdom when you covered it.
Your other response may be less inviting. You can ignore it. But, who wants to ignore hurt? Who wants to ignore the insults that come from others who intend to harm you with malicious intent? While this is possible, it is also difficult because of our pride. A prideful person is less likely to ignore hurt.
So what is the takeaway? If you want to live in healthy relationships with others, you should learn to mask your pride and cover or ignore what was said or done to you. When this happens, you grow. You are only responsible for us. You cannot make decisions for others.
So how will you respond today when someone hurts your pride?