One of my friends challenged her followers on Instagram to read Proverbs each day during the month of August. I've been pretty diligent (only missed a day or two, then caught up and resumed) and it has been really good. A reoccurring theme in Proverbs is the importance of gaining Godly wisdom and understanding and also being able to receive correction.
Proverbs 1:23 ESV
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV
My son, do not despise the Lord ’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
There are many more, but I hope you get the gist of it. Of course, a favorite of mine is Proverbs 3:11-12 and while the Father always shows His love for me, He's been doing so more in this season - publicly and privately. Thankfully, a lot more privately than publicly.
Privately just last night. I'm finding a few things out about myself - I can get pretty mad pretty quickly and two, I use circumstances as an excuse for not doing better sometimes. I'm aware both are unacceptable and so is God. While I was crying and frustrated and saying whoa is me to God, I got zero co-sign. I was led to scripture and yep, guess who/what the issue is? ME. *Sigh*
I repeat to myself often:
Proverbs 3:11 NKJV
My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord , Nor detest His correction;
And
Proverbs 12:1 NKJV
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
I remind myself that a wise man loves who corrects him, but a fool is scornful. So even though I can feel my face getting hot when it happens publicly, I try not to take it personally and I continue to receive whoever corrects me with love even though it stings. Because I want to be wise, not stupid! :-) Humility comes before honor and haughtiness(pride, boastfulness) before the fall. (I can't remember which proverb this is)
This is my admonishment to myself and others who may be reading - if you're being corrected, don't focus on the fact that something is "wrong" with you because correction is NOT condemnation. God, your spiritual parents, your brothers and sisters in Christ - they show their love for you by trying to turn you away from the wrong path. We must be willing to take God's correction if we ever want to grow. Just know that while it burns, if we heed it, we'll be so much better in the long run. This walk is a marathon, not a sprint. God loves us and He's trying to see us to the finish line.
