We don’t like to hear correction, let alone heed it.
But this is the height of folly.
A wise man will listen to the voice of correction, even when he disagrees with it.
A wise woman will listen to the voice of correction, even from her worst enemy.
A wise man will listen to the voice of correction from voices of the past that seem irrelevant and outdated in today’s society.
A wise woman will listen to the voice of correction even from a little child.
We do not always have to agree with the voice of correction in our life. We do not always have to agree with those who rebuke us.
But we DO always need to patiently listen to those voices, for every once in a while (indeed, more often than not) there is a nugget or a boulder of golden truth present.
Think of it this way: Even if the person who rebukes you IS WRONG, you should respect the fact that they love you enough to confront you with what they believe to be the truth. Do not cast aside this act of love.
The most profound, most love, most challenging voice in your life is NOT the person who always agrees with you (your ‘yes’ man), but is the person who is willing to tell you the hard truths about yourself, even when it makes them uncomfortable.
Surround yourself with such people. Be such a person.
To offer correction is an act of love. To receive correction is an act of humility.
