Correction

Day 13: Correction – Proverbs 13

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Day 13 picture of beach

“If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace. If you accept correction, you will be honored.” Proverbs 13:18

I’ve been in a process of learning to accept criticism and correction as a positive thing. I can get really defensive when I’m questioned, or a weakness is pointed out. It can be simple things, but it’s also with big things. I’ve recently had to get real with why I react the way I do when criticism or correction is being presented.

I’ve come to the realization that as a child and into my early 20’s, criticism and correction were tools used to let me know I wasn’t good enough. Criticism and correction were there to let me know that I failed once again and would probably never get it right. And even though I’ve grown and come to understand those things as lies, there is still a part of me that is being exposed and needs healing.

I’m in a process now where I’m changing my internal dialogue and my outward response. When I face criticism and correction I will begin to take inventory of how I am feeling and what response is coming to the surface. Then, I ask myself, why am I feeling this way? I know and understand that correction is for my benefit. I also recognize that correction isn’t really anyone’s favorite thing. But, it’s not there to point out my faults or my lack. Correction is there to help me make the adjustments I need to stay on that right path.

I pray today for continued healing in this part of my life. I want to receive and respond to correction and criticism with an open heart to make the necessary adjustments. I pray today for a shift in my mind to see correction and criticism, not as a way to point out my faults and failures, but as a tool to strengthen my gifts and abilities. Correction and criticism are there to make the good better. To make my strengths stronger. To allow the light to shine brighter. To continue the work, He is doing in me. And Lord, I pray for discernment to know when the correction is needed and when it’s just someone being critical. And then, to feel free to just let that negative go. Amen.

What is God speaking to you today in Proverbs 13? Share in the comments below or join the conversation on our Journaling Through Proverbs Facebook Group.

Day 6: For Life – Proverbs 6

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Day 6 picture of sunrise at the beach

“For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light. Their corrective discipline is the way to life.” Proverbs 6:23-2 (NLT)

The whole idea behind this group, Journaling Through Proverbs, is my deep conviction that the Word is living, powerful, relevant, life giving and necessary for peace and hope. It is my personal experience that without being in the Word daily I lose peace of mind and become anxious, lost and am easily overwhelmed by basic life stuff, not to mention the big stuff. I am also aware that the habit of reading the Word daily can easily be skipped, and before you know it, you’ve gone days or weeks without time in the Word. My hope is that together we would create new habits or restore old habits of daily reading and journaling. And together we would encourage one another. So, I’m really loving this verse about the lamp and light, because I think it’s exactly why we are all here!

The word “command” here is the same word used for God’s 10 Commandments. The word “understanding” means teaching or instruction. When the lamp (or commands) is used properly, it can omit light from it. When we allow the Holy Spirit to instruct us in His Word, then it becomes light. This is a powerful picture of how God instruct and teaches us. We come to the Word and the Holy Spirit brings the understanding.

Then the verse goes onto say, “corrective discipline is the way to life.”  Probably the part of Bible study that I would rather skip. I definitely look to the Word for encouragement, answers to my questions, to feel love and hope. But the Word is also there to bring me correction.  I know that if I will submit to the correction and repent, then I can experience more life.   AND, I must remember that the “corrective discipline” is FOR ME! Not for those around me I think have some issues.  I’ve got to be real and honest; I need corrective discipline.

It can be so easy for me to read the Word and list all those who I think need to hear and apply what it says. But then, I’m totally missing it. His Word is for me. The commands, instruction and correction are for my life. And it is out of that process I can reflect Christ’s light to those around me.  My prayer today is for greater insight into the Word. For the courage to allow it to transform my life, even when it is bringing correction. I desire to be submitted and changed by it.

I’m reminded of these two verses, so I am just going to put them here:

“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms 119:105 (NLT)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize a what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3: 16 (NLT)

 

Share what God is speaking to you today in the comment section below or on our Journaling Through Proverbs Facebook Group.