Discipline stinks! Yep, I said it! I wish I felt differently, but I just don’t. Sigh.
Regardless of whether you pronounce a word wrong or if you are being scolded for misbehaving – humans tend to respond poorly to correction.
I wonder why that is. We all usually say we want to be the best we can be, but is that really true?
If we sincerely wanted to grow and improve, wouldn’t we be accepting of rebuke, reprimand and reproof? Hmmm.
I know for a fact that I’m the world’s worst when it comes to criticism. I tend to clam up, close off or act out! What am I? FOUR?!?!?!
Last week is a perfect example of my immaturity. I was at the Monday Night Football game (Bears won against the Cowboys – Yippee!!!) and a man sitting next to me told me I said something inappropriate and should refrain from doing it again.
Ouch! Guess I was getting a little too much into the game and forgot I was in public…my bad.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
So, what did I do? Well, I can tell you that I didn’t say thank you for the censure. In fact, I looked at my friend and did my best to crawl into her lap to get away from the guy sitting next to me.
Once again…my mouth got me in trouble!! Obviously, I made a mistake, got caught and subsequently wanted to throw myself to the wolves because I was humiliated that someone called me out…argh. I really don’t like discipline….
After much contemplation of the situation, I’m fully aware that I deserved the criticism (not that it was ever a question).
The point is, I should have realized my mistake and offered an apology immediately. Instead, I got mad at the messenger. YIKES!
And, who’s to say it wasn’t the voice of God nudging me to make better decisions about what comes out of my mouth?!?!?
Frankly, God WOULD have said the same thing if He had been sitting next to me at that football game. Sure, I wasn’t my normal rowdy self (as I’ve tamed considerably in the last few years), but I could still use some obedience training.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life…. Proverbs 6:23
Okay, now on the flip side, for those ‘correctors’ out there (myself included) – is criticism being done out of love or self-righteousness? It’s a mighty fine line to walk on both sides and WE ALL could use a little help!!
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1Corinthians 9:27
In conclusion, I hope that we can all make positive changes when disciplined and only offer criticism with loving intentions.
Between those two objectives, we can all learn to live more like Jesus did and be free from the chains of sin.
What changes do you need to make in your life?
Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 3:11-12 – My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Comments