Do You Love (or Hate) Correction?

As I've been reading through Proverbs, I've been struck by a recurring theme: the importance of received discipline, instruction, and correction.

Check it out:

Proverbs 10:17

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁷ He who heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Proverbs 12:1

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹ Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 15:10

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁰ Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path;
he who hates correction will die.

This is serious stuff, here! It makes me re-think all those times I dreaded evaluations during my teaching career and times when a caring youth leader "needed to talk to me about something."

I'm sure most of us wouldn't say that we hate correction- but do we love it? Do we desire to know the truth about ourselves- so that we can align it with God's truth? Surely we don't want the consequences shared here: leading others astray, being deemed stupid, or even death!

So I've been pondering 2 things. First, how can I better receive correction? I know why it's hard to receive now. PRIDE! Even though I know that I'm not perfect- and you all know that I am not perfect- do we really have to talk about? Really? Can't we just pretend? The Scriptures say "No- no pretending, no hiding. Let's get it out in the open." So I've been praying that I would have a humble heart to receive correction. That I would remember that I am but dust and not easily take offense. We all need help- we are all blind to our own weaknesses. We should be thankful to those who graciously enlighten us.

That leads to my 2nd pondering. How can I more gracefully give correction? Have you ever been in public and witnessed a weary mother screaming at her children? It hurts my heart so bad. Yet how many times have I offered correction without compassion? I know it is hard for me to lay down my pride and receive criticism- I need to remember that when it is my turn to guide someone else. They are but dust, too.

I'm a little nervous to post this on the Internet. Is this an open invitation for you all to correct me? I'll make you a deal. I'll do my best to be humble-- if you do your best to be compassionate. : )