Cover It Up!

Asking for forgiveness is often more difficult than it seems. To have offended someone and not be troubled by the pain it produced is indeed the sign of a calloused heart and an indifferent attitude: both are abominations to God!

But to acknowledge that we have wronged another person is a difficult thing. For whatever insane reason, although we do not admit it, we all seem to think we live a life that is as close to perfect as possible. Our opinions are absolute and our values are without question the ones that every person ought to hold.

That, however, defies Scripture and reason. Most of us have a difficult time getting through one day without some conflict about some issue with another person. And if our opinion or position on the issue does not agree with the other persons, conflict erupts.

Now, conflict is not all bad. Often, creativity comes out of conflict and that’s good. If, however, we become hardened in our position and refuse to accept the ideas of the other person and use words to hurt and harm the other, that is indeed wrong and displeasing to God.

We are all equal in God’s eyes - even when our ideas or positions disagree with another. If we are thoughtless in expressing our differences to the point that we use abusive language to destroy and defeat one of God's children – that’s definitely wrong. End of discussion.

“He who covers over an offense promotes love.” Here we are advised to plead for forgiveness and “cover it up.” Another way of saying it is to “forgive and forget.”

Prayer:  Give us tender and respecting hearts, Lord. May we spend today making amends for harming others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.