Learning through correction
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
At 5 a.m. this morning, I woke from a dream that left me in tears. In the dream, I was a little girl again, running into my childhood grandparents’ home in Roddy, GA—a home that no longer stands. I ran inside to find my Papa Greene, desperate to warn him about what would happen if he didn’t fix his will, about what would come after he and Grandma Greene passed. Sadly, when I entered, the house was empty. Neither of them was there. The walls held nothing but silence. All hope felt lost.
I woke up crying.
💔 Running to the Lord
As I always do when something weighs heavy on my heart, I ran to Jesus. I laid my heartbreak before Him, asking, Why does this still hurt? Why does it still matter so much?
And in His ever-loving kindness, He answered.
The Hardest Lesson: Idolatry in Unexpected Places
Jesus showed me that sometimes we love things or people more than we love God. And when we do, we fall into idolatry.
I’ve had moments—years, even—when I loved myself more than I loved God.
📌 There was a time when my career and my possessions consumed me.
📌 There was a time I thought that saving my family’s homeplace was my only hope for happiness, for hanging onto my heritage, my identity.
📌 There were times I placed romantic love before my Heavenly Father, my Savior, my Holy Spirit.
Each of these things grieved the Holy Spirit and broke the heart of my Jesus. They disappointed the Father because I placed worldly things above Him.
But God, in His love, does not leave me there.
Dying to Self, Living for Him
This morning, as I sat weeping in His presence, I felt the weight of His discipline.
You know what? That’s a good thing.
📖 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23
There will never be a day in my life where denying myself will no longer be necessary.
Every single day, I must decrease so that He may increase (John 3:30).
Every single day, I must choose to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
I have been commanded to love Him above all else.
And today, in the pain of realization, I recognize the beauty of this moment—
because it is me who is heartbroken, not my Holy Spirit.
The Gift of Conviction
What a gift it is to be convicted.
Because I feel His discipline, I know I am His.
Because He is pruning dead branches, I know new life is growing.
Because He corrects me, I know He loves me.
📖 “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” — Hebrews 12:6
Refined Through Lent
At the beginning of this week, Jesus told me,
“You will know denying yourself very intimately before you return to your heavenly home.”
And here I am.
During this season of Lent, He is peeling away layers of selfishness, of hidden idolatry, of misplaced affections.
As Passover, Good Friday, and Easter approach, I stand in awe of His timing. His discipline is not punishment—it is preparation.
Hallelujah for His love!
Hallelujah for His correction!
Hallelujah that He prunes, refines, and restores!
Application & Challenge for the Week
I have this wonderful opportunity to ask for forgiveness, seek His Word, and learn to leave pride and vanity at the foot of the cross while I walk in victory here on this earth. As long as I have breath, I have more time to learn, to grow, and to focus on the One who created me.
The most incredible realization is this:
I am the one grieving today—not my precious Holy Spirit.
My relationship with God is alive and evolving, and He does not leave me stagnant in selfish pursuits. Being born again is not a one-time event but a daily renewal, a journey of discovery and discipline.
Jesus, in His love, continues to move me when I am too blinded by my own ways to see clearly.
He prunes away the dead, lifeless debris so that fresh life can grow.
So, my challenge for you this week is this:
🔹 Ask the Lord to reveal any hidden idols in your life.
🔹 Spend time in His Word and allow Him to correct, discipline, and grow you.
🔹 Lay your pride, self-centeredness, and worldly affections at His feet.
🔹 Walk in gratitude and humility, knowing that His correction is a gift of love.
And when He speaks—listen.
A Prayer of Gratitude & Renewal
Father,
Thank You for loving me enough to discipline me.
Thank You for opening my eyes to the places where I have put anything above You.
Forgive me, Lord, for the moments where I have loved the things of this world more than You.
Strip away my pride, my vanity, my self-centered desires.
Help me to truly love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Make me a reflection of Jesus, not myself.
As we approach Easter, prepare my heart to worship You in spirit and truth.
Help me to live out my faith with humility, love, and unwavering devotion.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen.
What has the Lord been teaching you this season? I’d love to hear how He is refining and restoring you! Drop a comment below. 💬✨
#FaithJourney #RefinedByFire #JesusFirst #ChristianLiving #Lent #SpiritualGrowth #Hallelujah #DyingToSelf #PrunedByGrace
For Further Reference: What Is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day period of spiritual preparation leading up to Easter Sunday. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal, where Christians around the world prepare their hearts to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection.
Why 40 Days?
The number 40 is significant in the Bible.
📖 Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).
📖 Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28).
📖 The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-34).
Lent mirrors these periods of preparation and testing, calling believers to seek God in deeper ways.
Key Practices of Lent
Christians observe Lent in different ways, but common practices include:
✝️ Prayer – Drawing closer to God through conversation, worship, and scripture.
📖 Fasting – Giving up something (food, habits, distractions) to focus on God.
🎁 Giving – Serving others, showing generosity, and helping those in need.
🙏 Repentance – Confessing sins, seeking God’s forgiveness, and renewing faith.
Does Everyone Observe Lent?
Lent is practiced by many Christian denominations, including Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches. While some believers participate in formal traditions, others choose personal ways to reflect and draw near to God.
Lent Leads to Easter
Lent culminates in Holy Week, leading to:
🌿 Palm Sunday – Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
🍷 Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper with His disciples.
✝️ Good Friday – The day of Jesus’ crucifixion and sacrifice.
🌅 Easter Sunday – The celebration of His resurrection and victory over sin and death!
What’s the Heart of Lent?
Lent isn’t just about giving something up—it’s about growing closer to God. It’s a time to surrender distractions, focus on Jesus, and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.
The Aging English Major 