Are you offended?

During 24 (24 Hours of Prayer) in October, David Allen challenged us with a scripture which has stayed with me:
"He who covers an offence promotes love: but he who repeats the matter separates close friends". Proverbs 17:9
I was also reading Proverbs 19:11 over the w\e:
"A man's wisdom gives him patience:it is to his glory to overlook an offence".
I don't know about you but there is plenty to feel offended at: a critical email, an unwelcome comment; head-on criticism; a barbed remark... We then have a choice: How do we react? Do we react at all? Do we justify ourselves or our position? Do we fight back and defend our corner?
Proverbs remind us that the best course of action is often to overlook the offence. Choose not to be offended. Die to self-justification. Say nothing. Remove the arrow cleanly. Throw it away do not throw it back. Your temporary wound will heal. Walk away free.
The second challenge is not to repeat it - tell no-one. How easy it would be to say "so-and-so said this..." and in so doing damage a reputation or relationship and "separate close friends".
Untold lasting damage has been done to countless friendships by needless rehearsal or offence or gossip. Let's make the right choice today:
"overlook an offence and bond a friendship". Proverbs 17:9 The Message.