Have you noticed some people are more teachable than others?
“He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.” Proverbs 15:31 NIV.
“He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.” 15:32
It’s not easy to accept a rebuke of any kind, but if one comes to me I want to look for something in it that’s life-giving and learn from it. I think that’s an excellent way to gain wisdom and not repeat mistakes.
Next, I want to throw in this sluggard verse, which is related to this post.
“The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.” 15:19
One dictionary defines a sluggard as someone who is habitually inactive or lazy. If I’m not accomplishing anything productive, perhaps it’s time to work on the weeds that are blocking my way. Being lazy just makes life harder. And like the proverb we read before says, the person who “ignores discipline despises himself.” Not a very pleasant place to be. I don’t want to ignore discipline because I’d rather travel on a highway than be blocked by weeds and make no progress.
by Kathy Sheldon Davis
kathysheldondavis.com 
My favorite line in your post is “God has not given us a spirit of fear…” If he didn’t give it, then where did it come from; and if the fear is not from him, why would I want to take part in it? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Marie.
Here’s what jumped out at me in Proverbs 15:
The Eyes of the Lord — Proverbs 15
“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” (15:3)
These days there is a lot of fear mongering going on. I am constantly bombarded by the dire predictions of the ‘conservative’ people in our land telling me this and that about what’s happening and the certain destruction of our country, etc.
While it could be true, only God knows the end results, and I choose to keep my trust firmly planted in Him. I take comfort in knowing that He’s got His eyes on me, and He also sees the actions and intentions of those who think they’re in charge of America. He is truly the One in charge! My Bible tells me He sets up kings, and takes them down. It also says He loves His people and will care for them and meet their every need.
I don’t think we should ‘keep our heads buried in the sand’. But while it is my responsibility to pray for our country and her leaders, and to do what I can in my own little corner, I will not let fear rule my thoughts. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)
by Marie Whittaker
Fear mongering is the use of fear to influence the opinions and actions of others towards some specific end. The feared object or subject is sometimes exaggerated, and the pattern of fear mongering is usually one of repetition, in order to continuously reinforce the intended effects of this tactic, sometimes in the form of a vicious circle
Wise words, Kathy. Thanks!