Overlooking
I was having lunch with a friend when a waitress dropped a tray of dishes. Most of the people turned and looked at the person who dropped the tray. My friend did not look to see who dropped the tray, he just continued with our conversation as if nothing had happened.
I thought the person who dropped the tray would have liked to have had everyone in the restaurant overlook that incident. The more mature person has developed the discipline
to overlook, in others, a minor incident, a thoughtless act
or an embarrassing moment.
Missing Out of the Gospel
To overlook an act of no consequence or of little importance is a quality of graciousness and patience. The less mature person often tends to react, correct or chastise others over unimportant acts indicating their inability to subdue their ego. Controlling the tendency to over react to unimportant things is a quality of a mature person. When we begin to overlook unimportant things, we also begin to see the more important things.
True religion is not looking primarily for weaknesses, faults, and errors. It is the spirit of strengthening and overlooking faults even as we would wish our own faults to be overlooked. When we focus our entire attention on what may be wrong rather than what is right, we miss the sublime beauty and essence of the sweet gospel of the Master. (James E. Faust, The Weightier Matters of the Law: Judgment, Mercy, and Faith,” Ensign, Nov 1997)
“Unimportant Things” Include Minor Faults Of Others
To continually get hung up on less important things in the lives of other people often creates a life of stress and inner frustration. Being consumed with unimportant things uses up valuable time and emotional energy. Overlooking minor shortcomings in others necessitates living a higher level of patience and empathy.
Brigham Young said:
Those who have not strong passions to contend with, day by day, and year by year, should walk in the veil of humiliation; and if brethren and sisters are overtaken in fault, your hearts should be filled with kindness—with brotherly, angelic feeling—to overlook their faults as far as possible (DNW, 22 Aug. 1860, 1 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young).
We should try to overlook the unimportant faults of others. We will feel peace and wholeness. “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). Overlooking irritations of others without comment can be a character building experience.
Some Truths Are Best Left Unsaid
In a message titled “Truth—and More,” Elder Russell M. Nelson contrasted the single-minded surgeon who coldly announces the truth about a terminal illness with the compassionate surgeon who mingles that message with assurances of love and support that help the patient and his family handle the truth. Truth is powerful and absolute in its existence, but its communication should usually be guided by companion principles. “Otherwise,” Elder Nelson observed,
“the sword of truth, cutting and sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, might not be governed by righteousness or by mercy, but might be misused carelessly to embarrass, debase, or deceive others. … Indeed, in some instances, the merciful companion to truth is silence. Some truths are best left unsaid.” (“Truth—and More,”Ensign, Jan. 1986, pp. 70–71.)
When we develop the capacity
- to overlook irritations of little importance
- and minor faults of others
we become more sensitive, tender, and loving. We build more positive and enduring relationships and we become a happier person.
See the ball player overlook the umpire’s bad call in the 59 second video “Umpire” from A Foundation For A Better Life.
GOSPEL PRINCIPLE:
William James, an American psychologist said, “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
“Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love” David E. Sorensen, Liahona, May 2003, pp. 10–12; or Ensign, May 2003, pp*. 10–12. Forgiveness means that problems of the past no longer dictate our destinies, and we can focus on the future with God’s love in our hearts.
“To Forgive Is Divine” Theodore M. Burton, Ensign, May 1983, pg. 70; A person with an unforgiving attitude can hardly be called a follower of Jesus Christ.
Rulon G. Craven
Rulon G .Craven was employed 20 years at Brigham Young University on the administrative faculty for Business Affairs. He also served as the Director of the Aaronic Priesthood, working under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric of the LDS Church, after which he served over 13 years as Secretary to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
His LDS Church callings include: Bishop, member of a Stake Presidency, Mission President, Regional Representative, board member and 2nd counselor in the General Presidency of the Sunday School, member of the 2nd Quorum of the Seventy and President of the New Zealand Temple.
He is also a current member of the Upward Reach Board of Trustees.
Leave Your Response