Some lessons are easier to learn than others. To learn from another’s mistake is a better path to take than to go through the trouble of making your own. More often than not though, we have to learn lessons the hard way. Also, lessons learned the hard way usually involve swallowing your pride mixed with a good dose of humility.
A teachable spirit can take correction, and does not stiffen in the face of reproof (Proverbs 9:8, 15:12). Those who are prideful and refuse correction fail to learn (Proverbs 5:12-14), but those who can swallow their pride can benefit from reproof. It seems their is a direct correlation between pride and stupidity, and humility and wisdom (Proverbs 12:1).
The Bible speaks of discipline as a blessing; even a mark of God’s love (Job 5:17; Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19). Scripture reproves us for our good (2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:15). In fact, the very essence of conversion involves repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). We have to humble ourselves before God. Only then can he lift us up (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6).
Though it is no fun, we should be grateful for discipline. It means that God is working on us for our good (Hebrews 12:11). If we reject God’s discipline we fail to benefit from it. We are not willing to be corrected, and fail to learn our lesson. To continue down that path is disaster (1 Corinthians 11:32). We can be glad that God is a patient teacher. May we be humble and teachable under his hand. As good students, may we learn our lessons well.
