This morning I read in Scripture, “Endure hardship as discipline.” (Hebrews 12: 7 NIV). Immediately I knew my problem……
I do not like discipline.
Seriously.
As a child, I did not enjoy discipline. Being sentenced to my room for a period of time just did not fit into my definition of “fun”. Having to stay in & unable to play with the neighborhood kids, not funny. And then the dreaded punishment….having to go to bed right after dinner. The real problem with this punishment was knowing my brother was yet awake & enjoying TV without me!
I continued to read….
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12: 9-11 NIV)
This morning my eyes were opened:
- We respect those that discipline us. We came to respect our earthly fathers for their correction. Even more so, we will grow in our relationship & respect for God.
- God disciplines us for our good. He knows the outcome each act of discipline will bring about in our lives. It is always for our benefit. It is the manner in which He shapes & molds us to be more like Him & to fulfill our purposes in this life.
- Discipline will produce. The outcome produces a harvest of righteousness & peace in our lives.
But there’s a catch…..We must allow ourselves to be trained by it.
We must learn & allow our lives to be changed due to those difficult processes that we experience. As people, we seek to avoid difficulties, pain & suffering. Yet in each of our lives, God permits seasons of both good & bad, joy & sorrow, laughter & tears. Everything we go through in life can be redeemed by our God as a victory. He supplies the grace we need. And yet, the reason for His grace is not solely for coming through His discipline but that we come to know more deeply the Giver of the grace.
He gives us His grace during seasons of discipline so that we come to know Him more deeply.
His desire is that we know Him increasingly & intimately.
Today I am linking with these blogs: Hear It, Use It and Making Your Home Sing and Inspire Me Mon. and Motivation Mon. and Gracelaced Mon. and The Better Mom and Mon. Musings and The Modest Mom and Playdates With God .
You are right, the catch is to want to be disciplined. I sort of cast a negative tone over that word, and yet, it’s the only way to get anywhere in life. Left to my own way, I’d sit on the couch all day!
Thank him for all the mercy, grace and love he has to keep nudging me toward a better life.
Happy Monday!
Ceil
Ceil – You are right – the word does carry a negative connotation. We need to look at it from a new perspective. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Joanne
Discipline and correction go hand in hand. I love that you tie this together. God loves me so he will discipline me when I don’t follow him. Discipline really is a training tool for me and for my children. We want to education our children so that they will have the tools to make decisions that will honor God. Thanks for sharing.
You point out a good distinction: we must “allow” it. Not always easy to do! But if that’s part of it, then yes, let’s submit to it. Thanks for this.
It surely is not easy but is worth it when we see the end result. Thanks for sharing today.
I love reading your posts! Great, thoughtful posts!
Just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Liebster Award. Hope you’ll accept!
Click here to accept
Thank you for the nomination. I received several in one day so as not to offend anyone, I am going to pass on my award 🙂 I am glad that you have enjoyed reading my posts. And thank you again for the nomination! I appreciate it!
Blessings,
Joanne
Joanne…discipline is never something we enjoy yet if we submit to what the Lord is trying to teach us we are so much better off for it. Discipline never guarantees easy-going but it does guarantee growth. You give us a good reminder here. Thank you for sharing at WJIM this week. It’s good encouragement for the soul. Blessings.