Accept or Reject?

Take good counsel and accept correction— that’s the way to live wisely and well. We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails. (Proverbs 19:20-21 MSG)

We have to take counsel. We must accept correction. Counsel is often sought. Correction is frequently not sought but is much needed. Both play a very important part in helping us grow up, become mature in our faith, and stay on course. Wisdom isn't just a thing for the aged - it is found by those who know the value of both good counsel and thoughtful correction.

Advice can be good or bad; thoughtful or spur of the moment. We might seek the advice of an 'expert' if we want to install a ceiling fan where one does not exist - the electrician knowing how and where to provide the needed electrical connections. We might give into the 'advice' of social media 'counsel' that advises us to buy this or that 'next great thing' because we know we don't have that item yet and 'everyone is getting one'. Is that good advice? Not usually.

Correction can be harsh or kind; hurtful or restorative. We might be having a very bad day, things just not working out as we planned, and along comes some curt, spur of the moment correction from someone we don't know all that well. Do we really want to accept it? Not usually. When correction comes in the right timing, through a person we trust and respect, we are often more open to receiving it, aren't we? The correction of a friend (one we trust well) is a valued thing.

God has a way of bringing the right amount of encouragement to get us back on track along with the right amount of correction to show us how easily we drifted. Whenever, wherever, and through whomever God brings correction, it will be with grace and will align with the truth of his Word. If we are receiving counsel or correction that doesn't align with the truth found in his Word, we might want to consider it as coming from a 'fallible' source. We might not want to heed that type of counsel!

Why do we have such a hard time with accepting counsel or correction? Perhaps it is because we are so busy brainstorming our own plans that we aren't open to receiving his plans. If counsel or correction comes that points us directly toward him, we'd do well to listen carefully. It could just save us a whole lot of discouragement and defeat! Just sayin!