Better Is Open Rebuke Than Hidden Love

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Proverbs 27:5, NIV

Not everyone wants to be rebuked. It’s painful, and it kills our pride. But thank God because He openly rebukes us through His words and the things that He allows us to experience. This only means that His love is not hidden. When we receive corrections from Him or from other people, it means that we are loved beyond what we can imagine.

So whenever God painfully corrects your actions, just humbly accept it and choose to thank Him. Sometimes, that’s what we need. We may think we are doing the right thing according to our understanding, but He needs to save us so that we won’t walk along the path of selfishness and arrogance. This process is going to be challenging. He will allow us to go through a painful journey that will eventually purify our souls.

God’s rebuke is better than receiving compliments or praises that only boost our egos. This doesn’t mean that receiving compliments is a bad thing; it’s just that sometimes, we tend to value them more than what God says. We long for other people’s approval rather than listening to Him. And this verse is a perfect reminder to openly accept His rebuke as a form of love.

On the other hand, God also sent people who could help us along the journey. They are those who truly care and love us despite our flaws and weaknesses. They would openly rebuke us and lead us back to the right path. If you happen to receive corrections from someone who truly cares about you, then humbly accept it. It only means that you are deeply loved and treasured by them.

Don’t view the rebuke you receive as an attack.  One day, you will realize that what God said is true. And you will end up thanking Him for saving and correcting you.

Prayer: Father God, thank you so much for correcting me and for giving me the chance to grow. Thank you because you never get tired of loving me despite all my flaws. I pray that you will give me a humble heart to accept the rebuke from the people who truly loved me. Please teach me how to treat their corrections as a form of love. Open the eyes of my heart so that I may see your ways and appreciate the people that you sent. This I ask, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.