Acknowledge Your Mistakes

He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. Proverbs 15:32

In spite of his faults, flaws and failures, David was called ‘…a man after [my] own heart…’ (Acts 13:22). And one of the qualities that made David looked upon this way was his willingness to acknowledge his mistakes. Here are two instances of it: 1) When fleeing the wrath of King Saul, he sought the help of a certain priest—a decision that caused Saul to order the death of eighty-five priests and their families. Devastated but not defensive, David told the surviving son of the slain priest who had assisted him, ‘…I have caused the death of all your father’s family’ (1 Samuel 22:22). Can you imagine taking responsibility for such a tragic consequence? 2) When the prophet Nathan confronted him about his affair with Bathsheba and his attempt to cover up her resulting pregnancy by having her husband killed, David acknowledged, ‘…I have sinned against the Lord…’ (2 Samuel 12:13).Would you have the emotional and spiritual maturity to make such an admission? Or do you have a tendency to defend your actions for fear of being judged, criticized or rejected? Do you sometimes feel attacked when someone offers feedback, whether it is positive or negative? Do you retreat in silence? Do you counter-accuse or blame your attacker? Do you make hostile comments? Do you become sarcastic? Making mistakes doesn’t make you a lesser person, but defending them does. Don’t let pride rob you of the wisdom that comes from acknowledging your mistakes and ultimately growing through them. ‘He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.’

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that I make mistakes, help me admit them and confess and move on by Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen