This Is Love
As I have made the choice to yield to God, I have welcomed His correction. Frankly, even when I don’t choose to yield He corrects me anyway! I have learned this can come through a myriad of ways. Sometimes it is as if He whispers to me the area I need to make an adjustment. In other instances, He uses people, circumstances, and the Word of God to highlight the areas that require attention.
I won’t lie, at times it is initially painful and uncomfortable. It may take a moment for me to digest but I am grateful God is so concerned about my growth and my development; He refuses to let me stay the same. The Bible tells us how we ought to respond to the correction of God:
“My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12
I noticed God will use whoever and whatever He wants to use to grab my attention. There have been times when the message came through someone I do not like (let’s be honest) but I knew God speaking. Let’s pause there. God will use people we don’t particularly like to correct us. I have learned to listen to the message and not be closed off because of who it came through. That can be a tough pill to swallow. (It is usually our pride that takes a hit.) At the church I grew up in, when my Pastor was preaching, he would often make this reference when he knew it was a word of correction from the Lord: “You can say Amen or Ouch!” That has always stuck with me because there have been countless times when “Ouch” was my honest response! His commentary always lightened the mood and elicited laughter but the message was clear. Heed the discipline of the Lord.
Reflecting on the notion of God’s loving correction, I am reminded of this story: A son tries to touch a hot stove and his father hits his hand before he could touch it so he wouldn’t get burned. The son was surprised and upset but only because he didn’t realize his father was protecting him from danger. His father explained the why behind his actions. The son understood it was because of his father’s love, not out of anger or malice. The same hold true for us. Embrace the correction of your Heavenly Father! It is for your own good!
Until Next Time,
Live Audaciously!
Kay Naomi