Love Correction? Really? – Proverbs in Practice
As former procrastinators, one thing we’ve gotten better and better at doing is self-discipline. Diligence means we do things we don’t want to do or when we don’t want to do them. We “bring ourselves under,” as Paul wrote in order to win the prize in the race. It might mean getting up in time to cook breakfast, or leaving the house with margin, or putting a decluttered item right into the car.
“Do what needs doing when it needs doing” is our definition of diligence. Otherwise, we procrastinate and the job gets bigger and harder and the consequences get worse. Our little granddaughter has taken to saying “I don’t want to” about many things she’s told to do. So now, her mom says, “I don’t want to, but I’m going to prepare dinner.” “I don’t want to, but I’m going to wash my hands.” Doesn’t that sum up a lot of the changes we’ve made in order to become former procrastinators? We may not want to do the necessary thing, but we’re learning the benefits of diligence, so we act without delay. Thank you, Lord, for your mighty help! Help us more!
A whole handful of proverbs address the benefits of diligence, of embracing discipline, reproof, instruction. They also explain what kind of person refuses them and what will happen to him. I’ve summed up some of them here.
From Proverbs 12:1, 13:18, 15:10, 15:32, 15:33:
- Love discipline/reproof/instruction and receive these blessings:
- Knowledge
- Honor
- Intelligence
- Wisdom
- Humility
- Whoever hates, spurns, or ignores reproof/instruction
- Is stupid
- Despises himself
- Gets poverty,
- Disgrace,
- Severe discipline,
- Death
That’s a highly motivating list.
Some folks say “Run to the battle!” meaning be eager to engage for God’s Kingdom. These proverbs urge us, “Run to Receive Correction!” Let’s embrace it, because receiving correction and acting on it will benefit our lives greatly. Change in us ripples out to benefit our families and others.
Recall a correction /reproof/ instruction you’ve received in the past that turned out to be helpful and you’re glad for the change you made. We learn from the Lord; but He often uses other people to correct us.
Is there some correction someone is suggesting to you? How might you talk it over and implement a change?
