April 6
Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listens to others.
-Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)
THE WISDOM OF LISTENING
A poem and essay by ILMA
A fool thinks only of himself
He doesn’t care for others or try to help
A fool always thinks he is right
He never listens but always fights.
The wise listens to others
He cares for his sisters and brothers
He fears the Lord and obey his word
He guards his heart to overcome the world.
Do you know someone who never listens to anyone? I was once a very selfish and haughty person. I never really cared much for others but I always wanted to get my way. Because I wasn’t given much love and attention as I was growing up, I learned to protect myself from rejection and criticism. I vowed to myself that no one can hurt me again. I became numb to others and learned to self-protect and relied only on myself. I hardened my heart to others and to God.
The bible says that there is wisdom in listening to others. Fools think that their own way is right. We are instructed by God to love him first, then ourselves as we love others. When we think only of ourselves, we remove others and God in the equation. The result of such removal is pain and hardened hearts. God created us for himself and for others.
PRAYER
Lord, show me to be caring and loving.
REFLECTION
Why is listening important in our lives?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s Poem Devotional, or go to www.ilmaarts.com or to receive emails of the poem devotional, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com