Whoever learns from correction is wise. (Proverbs 15:5)

It was one of the wittiest presentations of the entire three day Conference. Designed to impress upon the delegates the need to establish a full-time Youth Worker position for the entire province, it succeeded beyond expectations in achieving its purpose.

As the speaker came off the stage to thunderous applause, he was greeted by a ministry colleague who was also a good friend and a classmate from seminary.

“Great speech!” he exclaimed. “I just had one question though…was it meant to draw more attention to the speaker or the subject?”

Frankly, I was insulted by the insinuation that it was a purposeful attempt to shine the spotlight on myself than the mission I had set out to accomplish.

I gave Keith an icy stare and left rather abruptly.

However, I could not simply ignore the gentle rebuke from my wiser friend.

As a matter of fact, it is something that I still remember 30 years later, every time I am tempted to get carried away with humour—be it in a sermon, speech or article.

Correction is not something any of us relish receiving…yet, it is a necessity on the road to achieving our destiny.

Earlier this month one of our DWOD’s focused on the need to have “many counsellors.” (Proverbs 24:6). One of the most valuable services our counsellors can offer us is correction.

Their hindsight can become our foresight as we avoid the pits into which they fell, thus saving ourselves time, money and energy in the process.

No wonder that the Bible stresses the importance of heeding correction, especially in the book of Proverbs.

Recently, I was reading the 15th chapter and ran into these wise sayings, all on the subject of correction.

Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. (v. 5)
Whoever hates correction will die. (v. 10)
Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. (v. 12)
If you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. (v. 32)

As you can tell, Solomon points out the benefits of receiving correction as well as the perils of resenting it.

His most severe warning is in Proverbs 29:1: Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

When we see correction as one way that God uses others to advance us toward our destiny, we will not be insulted by it as I was then. Instead, we will be grateful for it.

Personally, I am thankful to God for all the people He has brought into my life over the past three decades, who have cared enough to correct me.

I would rather stand corrected than fall uncorrected!

How about you? Has God used others to bring correction to you? Please bless the rest of your DWOD family by sharing your experiences.