A Tender Heart and a Tough Hide

Current Teaching Series The Miracle of Mercy

A Tender Heart and a Tough Hide By Rick Warren — Apr 23, 2017 “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV). In yesterday’s devotional, I wrote that we need to look at the pain behind the behavior of people who need extra grace. We learned that hurt people hurt people. We can’t stop there, though. We must also refuse to be offended. Your emotional and spiritual maturity is largely measured by how you treat people who mistreat you. Do you try to get even when somebody does you wrong? If they hit you, do you hit back? If they insult you, do you insult back? If you do, then you are no better than they are. The Bible says, “Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief” (Proverbs 21:23 MSG). When it comes to personal relationships, God says, “Don’t be so easily offended. Learn to get over it.” You need to pray, “God, give me a tender heart and a tough hide.” Most of us are just the opposite. We’re thin-skinned and tough-hearted. When somebody looks cross-eyed at you on the freeway, somebody cuts you off, or somebody is rude to you, don’t let it bother you. Don’t get upset about it. You know that person is just having a tough day. You need to get thicker skin. The Bible says, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV). When you understand people’s background and their current condition, it’s easier to show mercy. Your wisdom gives you patience to overlook their offense. Talk It Over How does understanding a person’s back-story help you not take offense as easily? What does the Bible mean when it says, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV). PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

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Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes six full length teaching CD's from Pastor Rick's series The Miracle of Mercy. LEARN MORE

Series Summary Message 1: ​​Easter Means It's a New Day of Mercy Message 2: God Can Use Anybody Message 3: God's Mercy and My Failures ​Message 4: How Much You Matter to God Message 5: Showing Mercy to Your Family Message 6: Being an Agent of Mercy in the World PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered a​round the world. This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe