Joseph Mekael Page

Proverbs 12:1

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” (NIV)

Reflection and Testimony:
This verse is as straightforward as it gets. Loving discipline is loving knowledge. Hating correction leads to folly. Yet, applying this truth in life is not always easy—it takes humility, which I lacked for much of my life.

As a child, I struggled with comprehension and discipline. No matter how much correction came my way—whether through spankings, lectures, or guidance—I remained stubborn and hard-headed. I didn’t respect knowledge or understanding. I thought I knew better, and my unwillingness to accept correction led me down painful paths.

As I grew older, the consequences of my stubbornness became clear. When my disobedience and hard-headedness strained my relationships, my parents made tough decisions. My mom put me out of her house, and my dad did the same. I found myself out on my own, facing the cold reality of life without their protection.

The streets were unkind—especially to someone acting under the influence of ignorance and pride. Unlike loving parents who discipline out of care, the world’s consequences are harsh and unforgiving. People won’t simply scold you and move on. Some will take advantage of your mistakes, and others might even harm you.

I learned the hard way. I gave away my money and got stolen from repeatedly because I didn’t learn the first time. I gave my heart away to women, only to face heartbreak after heartbreak because I refused to accept correction. Pain became my teacher when wisdom wasn’t enough.

But God’s discipline was always there, shaping me, even in my stubbornness. He allowed the consequences of my choices to teach me what I refused to learn before. Discipline—though painful—became the tool He used to break through my pride and lead me toward wisdom and understanding.

Today, I see the beauty in discipline. I’ve learned to embrace correction because I know it is rooted in love. God’s correction isn’t meant to harm us but to transform us. It’s through discipline that we grow in character and draw closer to Him.

Supporting Scripture:

• Hebrews 12:11: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
• Proverbs 3:11-12: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your discipline, which guides me toward wisdom and understanding. Forgive me for the times I rejected correction and chose stubbornness over growth. Help me to embrace Your guidance with humility and trust, knowing that Your discipline is rooted in love. May the lessons I’ve learned be a testimony of Your grace and a light for others to follow. Amen.