The Gift of Correction.

We live in a world where people are constantly seeking out accountability and correction for growth. We hire coaches, book counselors, read authors, sign up for courses, join gyms, and look for mentors. Deep down, we know we need voices in our lives to help us grow.

But there’s a danger here too. As Paul once wrote:

“Even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me.” — 1 Corinthians 4:15–16 (NLT)

We live in a generation with many teachers, but not many fathers.

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Instructors vs. Fathers

An instructor corrects from a distance. They pass on knowledge, maybe even wisdom, but there isn’t always relationship.

A father, on the other hand, corrects close up. He walks with you. He doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong; he helps you live it out. He cares deeply about your growth and development.

The problem is that sometimes we begin to picture God as nothing more than a distant instructor. We imagine Him saying things like:

• Didn’t pray right today.

• Didn’t fold the towels properly.

• Didn’t worship with both hands raised.

We see Him as nitpicky, just pointing out what we’ve done wrong.

But scripture reminds us something different:

“Our earthly fathers corrected us for a short time as they thought best. But God corrects us for our own good, in order that we may share in his holiness.” — Hebrews 12:10

God’s correction is not about His convenience. It’s about our transformation.

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Seeing Correction as Love

I’ll be the first to admit that as a dad, I’ve corrected my kids sometimes purely for my benefit. (Anyone else get irritated when your kids chew too loud? 🙋‍♂️)

But God never corrects us out of annoyance. His discipline is always love. His heart is to align us with His purposes so we can flourish.

Think of it like this:

If I went to a dietitian and said,

“I eat 6–7,000 calories a day… start with a Boston cream bun, grab a Jimmy’s pie and flat white, vape and energy drinks for smoko, Pak’nSave hot chicken and Coke for lunch, a quadruple shot coffee in the afternoon, and then KFC for dinner… and I don’t know why I feel terrible.”

What should the dietitian say? “Bless you brother, keep going”?

Of course not! They’d give me a meal plan and say: Your diet is wrecking you. Here’s how to fix it.

Now imagine I collapse in tears, saying: “Why do you hate me? I thought you cared about me!”

That would be crazy. The dietitian corrects me because they care.

The same is true with God. His correction is proof of His love.

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The Father’s Discipline

Hebrews 12 puts it plainly:

“God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” — Hebrews 12:10–11

That changes how I respond to correction. Instead of resisting it, I can actually rejoice. Correction means I’m not abandoned. I’m not illegitimate. I’m loved.

Proverbs reminds us:

“For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” — Proverbs 3:12

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The Takeaway

Here’s the shift: correction isn’t punishment. It’s alignment. It’s like a chiropractor adjusting what’s out of place so that the body can function properly again.

God’s heart in correction is always love. His purpose in correction is always healing.

So the next time God brings correction into your life—through scripture, through His Spirit, or even through people—don’t despise it. Receive it as proof that you are His child.

I have a Father, not just an instructor. His discipline is always for my good. And if He is correcting me, I can rejoice—because it means I’m deeply loved.