April 29
The Wisdom
in Correction
“Anyone who loves discipline loves knowledge. But anyone who hates to be corrected is stupid.”
Proverbs 12:1, NIrV
Dylan was the kind of teenager who believed they had it all figured out. Rules? Suggestions at best. Advice from parents or teachers? Unnecessary meddling. Dylan often rolled their eyes at lectures about responsibility or the consequences of their choices. “I know what I’m doing,” they’d say, brushing off their mother’s concerns or their teacher’s warnings.
But then came the day that changed everything. One impulsive decision—taking their parents’ car without permission to impress some friends—ended with a dented fender and a hefty repair bill. Worse, the incident cost Dylan their parents’ trust and brought a wave of guilt and shame they couldn’t ignore.
Sitting on the edge of their bed that evening, Dylan replayed the scene in their mind. Their father’s disappointment, their mother’s tears, and the terrifying moment of losing control behind the wheel all weighed heavily on their heart. For the first time, Dylan whispered, “Maybe they were right all along.”
The next morning, Dylan sheepishly approached their dad in the kitchen. “I’m sorry,” they said, barely able to meet his eyes. “You were right—I should’ve listened.” To Dylan’s surprise, their father didn’t respond with anger but with understanding. “Discipline isn’t punishment, Dylan. It’s love. We correct you because we want the best for you.”
That conversation marked a turning point. Dylan began to pay attention when teachers offered advice. They sought their parents’ guidance before making decisions. And one evening, while reading the Bible with their mom, they came across Proverbs 12:1. Dylan chuckled softly. “I guess I’ve been...well, stupid.”
Their mom smiled. “We’ve all been there, Dylan. But God loves to teach us when we’re willing to learn.”
Dylan realized that discipline wasn’t about controlling them—it was about shaping them into a wiser, stronger person. Slowly but surely, their stubborn heart softened, and they started walking the path of humility and wisdom.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the gift of discipline, even when it feels hard to accept.
Like Dylan, we often resist correction, thinking we know what’s best.
But Your Word reminds us that discipline is an act of love meant to guide us toward wisdom.
Help us to embrace correction with humility and see it as an opportunity to grow.
Teach us to value the advice and support of those who care for us, and lead us on the path of knowledge and understanding.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
