Growth

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 13

Gold Nugget
Verse 18: “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.” 

Commentary

I've seen folks that get passed up for promotions; others who lose their jobs, people who cycle in and out of relationships and many who have simply missed opportunities. I guess we all have some areas of our lives that fit this description. I know I have missed many opportunities. However, I believe there is hope for me because I feel like I embrace correction more and more as I get older. I want to receive correction, because I know it is the key to overcoming these cycles. I know some people that refuse correction and the inevitable failure that follows. Not that I know what is best for them, but often times the outside perspective is the only accurate one. Today’s “gold nugget” says, “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.”

I also know people that ask for and receive instruction and correction. These are often the people that merit the most respect and trust. This is the person that regards truth and accuracy over pride and arrogance. Having been a manager most of my life, I have often said that I would rather have 1 teachable person on my team than 3 talented people that can’t receive instruction or correction. Correction comes in all shapes and sizes from various sources. Like selective hearing, if we embrace correction from selective sources on selective issues, we limit our personal and spiritual development. The Lord provides correction from His Word, from various people and even certain conditions. Truth should be the ultimate trump card that overrules our feelings, emotion and pride. Embrace truth and you will inherit growth.

Prayer

Lord, I know there are several areas of my life that could use correction. I do want the personal growth that comes from humbling myself and being instructed. Help me to recognize healthy correction when it comes and embrace it. Amen

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