Correction

Proverbs 5:12
You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!”

Now that I know I have been in the wrong for a while, it gets easier to accept the fact that I need discipline and correction. Oh, I know I need to change my ways, BUT I’m not ready to. If life is a journey, and I have been down the wrong path, isn’t it necessary to travel back on that path? You cannot just “beam me up Scotty!”

I’ve taken a long trip with an oubliette at the end. I’ve peered over the edge. Maybe even dangled my feet. Probably swung them in glee. Then I decided not to take that particular leap. I turned away from it, but there are occasional glances back. I’d like to say that the further I get from it, the less pull it has on me.

Since my friend has been praying for me, it IS getting easier. Have you ever noticed? It’s almost like you can tell someone is praying for you. Places where your mind used to dwell… well, your mind just kind of slides over them now? Once you notice, try as you might, you have a hard time focusing on a topic that is not healthy.

If only I prayed as well for me.

I don’t know how to deal with these grievances. The top of the list is too big and close. The bottom of the list is really less of a problem already. The middle of the list is too “present”. The people I struggle with right now!

Okay, I’m going to take a pair. They really belong to the same problem. My grievance towards them? I don’t like them. Which should translate to hate. Which translates to murder. Ouch.

And here is where I really want to list every offense of theirs against me. And here is where I want to tell you why you should be wary of them. And here is where I want to tell you what should be done with them.

But I won’t. Instead, I pray that…

Devil wants me to belittle them. They really are of no consequence. They don’t really have a place in my life. I shouldn’t give them the time of day anyway.

I’m just being honest. That’s really where my mind is going. And here is where I make one last valiant effort…

I need to pray for their broken hearts. I need to pray for their aching souls. I need to pray for their fearful mind. I need to ask the Lord to give them strength. I don’t have to interact with them to pray for them. I already have witnessed the power of prayer from afar.

My mission today is to pray for them.

My prayer for myself is to always pray when I think of them. And not rant.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.
Proverbs 24:17-18 (ESV)

And the Lord spoke. Directly. Awesome in the Divine sense.