December 26
PROVERBS 24
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
do no violence to his home;
16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
– Proverbs 24:13-16
PROVERBS 24 THE RESILIENCE OF THE RIGHTEOUS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The righteous have their Lord as their defender
They are equipped with wisdom and character
Because they have the truth that sets them free
They usually are able to rise up from calamities
Watch out you wicked and evil men!
If you plot evil or prey on the righteous one
You will not succeed because of their resilience
Though they may stumble, watch as they rise up.
Resilience is defined as the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. Another definition says that it is the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape. In psychology, resilience is the ability to adapt to and overcome challenging life experiences. It involves being flexible and adjusting to internal and external demands, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral means.
When someone is resilient, we witness strength of character. In the book of James, we are advised to be joyful in various trials of every kind since trial produces steadfastness. When steadfastness is complete, a person will be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
REFLECTION
• How would you describe someone who lacks resilience?
