June 15
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Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
-Ecclesiastes 7:9(NIV)
THOSE WHO ARE QUICKLY PROVOKED
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is a spirit of offense
There is temptation to use defense
Those who are quickly provoked
Their spirits have been hurt and broke.
For anger resides in the lap of fools
Their fury or rage can make them cruel
Watch out when you are reactive and explosive
A hardened heart can make you be very impulsive.
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One of the generational sins that I inherited from my family of origin is the spirit of offense. Most of the people who raised me had anger issues. Some of them are explosive but others are implosive. I learned at a very young age to guard what I do or say because it might get me in trouble and be deprived of love and attention. I literally walked on eggshells because I don’t even know why they get to be so easily angered even when I just ask simple questions. It was inevitable that I learned their ways because I was too young to process and understand why they behave in such impulsive and reactive ways. I learned it the hard way when I became a high school teacher. Some of my students got my implosions and on some occasions my explosions as well. The bible tells us not to be easily angered.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for my spirit of offense.
REFLECTION
When have you regretted an explosion, irritability or implosion?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com