[Proverbs 17:9 MSG] “Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend!”
I have learnt over the few years of loving and making friends, that those closest to you offend you more often than those afar off. It is not far fetched to have your friend hurt you a few times. Sometimes, the real hurt is not in what they did wrong, but how you felt slighted by their actions. Sometimes, you feel so insulted by the actions of those you see as friends.
In any case, when you feel offended, remember that setting your eyes on the offence will make you give up on true friendship. The Bible teaches that to be able to preserve friendship and bond, you have to do your best to overlook offences. When we all learn to overlook offences, we can preserve great friendships, and we will never lose those we treasure.
It is so human to prove that you are right and know better, but it’s divine to admit that you are human and that you falter from time to time. When you gain understanding through maturity, you will win more friends through overlooking faults. I believe that we can make the world a better place when we learn to forgive and overlook petty faults.) If you decide to pay attention to every slip, you won’t be able to relate with anyone.
It is my prayer that God will give you the grace to treasure friendships over ego. Make room for the mistakes of others, because you fail too sometimes.
Stay blessed, I love you!
Kofi Simpe
Prayer:
Loving Father, please help us to love more and forgive more, Amen!
