WRONG, again.
As I flipped through my bible yesterday, I stopped and read Proverbs 9--The Invitation to Folly or to Wisdom. I was already reading Proverbs, but I had to go back and reread this again. Mostly because it made no sense to me whatsoever.
When I started to study it the chapter and really dig into what it was saying, I felt incredibly convicted. Like I said, I perceive myself to be smart and on a good day, I'll categorize myself as wise.
But according to Proverbs...
"7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning."
So a person who is wise or even smart for that matter wouldn't try to explain things to someone who they already know won't listen to what they have to say. I DO THIS EVERYDAY. I constantly find myself trying to explain my actions and my feelings to people who will never understand me because they simply aren't ready to hear what it is I have to say. It's hard to fully accept the fact that some people will never take the time to truly listen to what another's heart is speaking but that's none of my business...
A person who is wise will also accept and love when others correct them because it only adds to their wisdom. My life would be at least 10x easier if I ever did this. I've always hated being corrected because when I mess up, I know. I can recognize every place I misstepped and also that I probably shouldn't take that path again. I always have been and always will be my biggest critic, but then again who isn't?
Allowing myself to let go of my obsession with control and surrender wholeheartedly to the things that I can't understand and cannot change is the hardest thing I have ever done/will do. And although I know, that I know, that I know I should change these things about myself so that I may continue to grow, I still struggle. But hey, the first step is admitting/addressing the problem, right? So at least I'm on the right track.
I'll be on my way back real soon.
Meghan