He disciplines us for our good, as a father corrects his son whom he loves (Hebrews 12:3–11).
The truth is none of us likes to be corrected. At least not any of us average people. Living in mediocrity is comfortable and chilling. There are few expectations. We are not causing trouble. We are able to float through society and if we are lucky nobody notices that we are there. When we are corrected it reveals a flaw, but the real issue is that we are noticed. I know for a fact that if my thoughts were revealed to the world, I would be termed a monster. Good thing that God gave me a good filter. The Scriptures have taught me to control my tongue. But to be honest I don’t depend on that. Every night I review my day and evaluate my growth. I often recognize these negative thoughts. Then I surrender those thoughts to God. I plead with Him to change the way that I think. My negative thinking is often in response to hurt and pain from my past. I humbly ask for emotional healing. I depend on God to correct me and draw me into a deeper relationship with Him.
My healing though depends on opening my heart and mind to the correction of the Father. On the surface I might look like a nice guy doing good works. But God searches the heart. He knows my motives. The exterior is for show. But the interior is for eternity. When He offers His correction, I have a choice to make. What will I do with it?
My first option is to harden my heart like Pharoh in Egypt. When this happens, I retain a veneer of power over my own life. Before coming to Christ, I felt proud of my stands against God. I would boldly sin. Initially, I felt some guilt. However, over time that still small voice became quieter and quieter. My soul became callous to His voice. For a season I wandered far from my Creator. Sin became my identity, and I was proud of that. What is amazing is that He was still there, ready to correct me. Looking back there are several times that I can see that He was calling to me, wooing me. Eventually He won me over.
My second and preferred option is to STOP what I am doing and talk with God. What is happening here? Jesus searches me. Why is this temptation here right now? There are clues all over the place in that moment. When that happens, I move closer to being a friend of God like Abraham and Moses. Suddenly I become more sensitive to His voice. The Holy Spirit’s correction gets louder and louder. As a result, I grew. As I grow, I am no longer simply mediocre. I suddenly become the sort of vessel that God can use easily. That is why He corrects us.
