04/15/2026
Wisdom Produces Patience
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. - Proverbs 19:17
I know many very good people who are constantly getting themselves into uncomfortable situations because they do not have the patience to wait before taking action. It seems they are ever learning but never gaining wisdom.
There are a lot of reasons why a person would be quick to act when prudence would call for patience. One reason is that we tend think we are the answer. We think, “This is an easy one, I can do this,” and we wind up acting on incomplete information which leads to having to back up and start again.
Another cause for impatience is feeling the urgency of a situation, believing that if we don’t act now a catastrophe will result. That is true if a child is in the road and a car is approaching, but most of the crisis situations we face are not that drastic and we are driven by urgency rather than wisdom.
Some people have a keen sense of justice and are quick to make decisions based upon an injustice they perceive being committed. All too often these folks create more of a problem with their quick action to right a perceived wrong than the wrong itself created.
What are we to do? Should we ignore injustice? Should we pretend a crisis does not exist? Absolutely not – but wisdom demands patience. If we find ourselves acting out of urgency rather than from wisdom we must seek God for wisdom and the wisdom he gives us will produce patience.
Patience is easy when we have the wisdom to weigh a situation before we take action. And, there are many times when wisdom demands that we are patient with someone who has committed an offense allowing God to bring them to repentance. The Apostle Peter wrote, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Prayer: Lord, all too often I have found myself taking action when I should be standing still listening for your wisdom. Grant me the patience to wait for your answer before I act. In Jesus name, amen.4
Message: A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Affirmation: I am instructed to seek God for wisdom. I do that. I ask God for wisdom so that I might have patience and be seek God for the ability to overlook offense.
Reflection: Reflect upon the reasons given in the devotion which deal with why we too often don't respond to a given situation the way God would have us respond. Think about how wisdom and patience go hand in hand.
