Responding to Correction, Part 1

Back in high school I was called defensive frequently. Yep, and the  " I am NOT " argument doesn't hold a whole lot of water against that accusation. In sports and strategy being defensive is a good thing; in response to correction? Not so much.

Maybe it's just me, but God OFTEN (like everyday) uses my children to reflect attitudes and actions of my own which require adjusting. By the way, I once made the mistake of mentioning the "Mother's Curse" ("One day you're going to have kids & I hope they...") to my kids, and now I'm not going to have any grandchildren. As my youngest plainly put it to a friend, "You know, it's not worth the risk." Anyway, back to the reflection thing. Through my little mirrors (well two are smaller, one's now full-length), God has shown me my primary methods of responding to correction:

1.  Dig in: I'm sorry you feel that way, but you are wrong and I am right.
2.  Deflect: Well, that may be true, but let's talk about you. 
3.  Deflate: It doesn't matter how kindly you spoke or how little you noted; I am crushed.

Man, the truth can be ugly, can't it? I desire to move out of the stages of anger, denial, depression and into acceptance and right response, but I recognize I'm not there yet. However as I truly listen as the Lord tells me why, I know there's hope. If you haven't noticed, this is a processing blog not a how-to (and I'm sorry, I still don't have any Free Printables.)

My problem is perceiving correction as a personal attack I must immediately defend rather than a gift to accept, a necessity for learning and growth. It's evidence of selective absorption. There are countless verses (actually, I'm certain someone has run the exact numbers) on listening to correction and responding to rebuke. How many times did Jesus correct those He loved? And yes, He loved everyone. Bar none, the way the hearers responded to His correction revealed their heart and determined their future. Just as it does mine.

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
Proverbs 17:10

More parts in my process to come.