Receiving Help Is Wisdom

Proverbs 10:17: “He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.” Today’s Episode: Receiving Help Is Wisdom Everybody wants to take the training wheels off. Get rid of the guardrails. Let me freestyle! Sometimes that freedom ends with us sitting in a ditch. On World Mental Health Day, here’s something I’m learning about receiving help in my chaplaincy practice. And I mean practice. This isn’t a side gig or something I’m doing on my way to the thing. Spiritual care is work I’m giving myself to. Part of our education involves what we call verbatims: written accounts of visits we’ve made, brought before our peers and educators for reflection. We don’t always bring the shiniest apple. Sometimes we bring a visit where we made a mistake, hit a limitation, or simply didn’t know what to do. Then the group picks it apart. Whew. There have been moments when I felt so vulnerable, I honestly wanted to cuss everybody out in the room. That’s your chaplain talking. Pray for me. But after I lick my wounds and stay in that circle, I begin to hear something my ego couldn’t hear at first. I am loved. These people hold me in high regard. And they’re helping me see the standard of care we’ve all committed to. I’m feeling the guardrails. I can feel exposed in that circle and still be safe enough to grow. Proverbs 10:17 says: “He who keeps instruction…” That’s the New King James Version. This proverb contrasts receiving instruction with refusing correction. It’s about how we walk through life, not a diagnosis of mental illness. And correction deserves discernment. Humiliation isn’t holy just because somebody calls it accountability. But when trustworthy people help me notice what I missed, can I stay present long enough to learn? The people I care for deserve more than my good intentions. They deserve a chaplain who keeps learning. Maybe the guardrail you’re fighting is helping you make the next turn. Receiving help is wisdom. Even when your pride needs a minute. Get full access to Hey Fred Lynch! at heyfredlynch.substack.com/subscribe