I ended my Quiet Time this morning with a big sigh. I have been reading verses about patience this past 4 days and I guess I had been given at least 3 big tests on the subject up until this moment.
Yesterday in particular, I had a long discussion with an Online Seller where I was supposed to buy some products. Upon checking, I found a better deal from another shop so I said I am cancelling my order. Unfortunately, she has a No Cancel Policy which I wasn’t aware of because it was not stated anywhere on her site. But then again, policies are policies so I just obliged. I told her I will just pay for it anyway and just resell.
However, I felt so irritated when she still didn’t stop sending messages about why I should pay or how irresponsible I was for reserving and cancelling. We have settled it already. I said I’d just pay so why bother keep sending those messages. Our discussion didn’t end until 2 very long messages from each of us stating what she did wrong and what I did wrong. I understood her part so I said I’d pay but I also wanted her to understand her mistake.
I had thought about this incident the whole day yesterday. And today of course, God reminded me again about it with the verse from Proverbs 19:11.
Sensible people control their temper;
they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
Somehow, I felt confident I did control my temper with the way I replied to her. Because I could have done and said something more piercing and more hurtful. I could have ignored her, blocked her on FB, post public rants about her and don’t pay her at all. But I did not. I chose to just settle it by paying her. So that first part, I felt pretty confident I did not lose my cool.
But looking at the last portion…
…they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
Wait hold it a minute. Overlook wrongs?? Does the Bible really say that? And then that big sigh. I asked Jesus previously, why did what happened yesterday happened? And this was His reply this morning. Because I need to learn to overlook wrong. I knew I had a mistake so I just swallowed the mistake by letting go of my cash. But what I wanted too was for her to know her part of the equation. I wanted her to see her wrong.
In my marriage, this was a big area I needed to improve on. I certainly have the gift of criticism if there is ever one! Contrary to my husband whom I would often hear say, “Hayaan mo na yan.” Honestly, I couldn’t take it. I am always one who would prove my point, have rights and so on. I won’t stop until you understand your wrongdoing. In God’s kingdom you most probably would call my attitude, “pride.”
I still keep giving myself a big sigh as I write this. It looks like this is a verse I need to remember often. There are times I need to back off, give up my rights and just let go. (I understand this is not the case for everything but at least for those things that don’t matter as much, just let it go.)
Do you often overlook wrong or are you more vocal about other people’s mistakes?
