Fools Show Their Annoyance

Daily Reading: Leviticus 12, Psalm 102, 1 Corinthians 14, Proverbs 12

Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

Proverbs 12:16

We live in a world in constant search of an insult.

Outrage is currency.

This is true across all walks of life. News, politics, sports, pop culture, and the list goes on.

With the rise of social media, big tech companies learned a lesson very early on:

People like to be annoyed.

There is something inherently human about righteous indignation. The feeling of being wronged or offended should be something we all prefer to avoid, and yet we are drawn to it like moths to a flame.

We are far more likely to stop the scroll online when we see something that gets our blood boiling, compared to an uplifting story.

“Fools show their annoyance at once.”

This hit hard today. Proverbs tells us, “…but the prudent overlook an insult.”

I know in my own life, things are so much easier when I am less easily offended. When I realize that me getting worked up doesn’t actually help to solve any of the challenges that frustrate me in this world.

That doesn’t mean that we should stick our heads in the sand. It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to make positive change in the world.

Jesus wants us out there on the front lines.

However, God also wants us to be less easily manipulated. He wants us to have a level of emotionally maturity that brings more peace of mind, and makes us more effective in carrying out the mission he has laid before us.

This week, I want to avoid being a fool, and join the ranks of the prudent.

Life is just easier this way, and I am a far better living example of God’s love in the world!

Daily Reflection & Dialogue

Where in my life do I tend to “be a fool” and immediately get annoyed?