“Because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Hebrews 12:6-7
As a parent, there were times that I dreaded the task of disciplining my child. This often was caused by the uncertainty of whether or not the punishment was the correct one for the misbehavior. In the early days of being a parent, I didn’t consult God before disciplining. The only guide I used was the discipline methods of my earthly parents.
As I have grown closer to God and as I continue to experience His discipline, a new model appears. The discipline style is one of love. He corrects me and then holds out His arms to say “let me hold you and teach you how it is done.” God does not remove the consequences of my actions, but He does stand beside me to see me through them. He doesn’t take away His peace forever; instead He grants His peace again when I confess and draw near.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we learned to discipline as God does before we ever have to discipline our children? Yet I think God has us go through the pain of trying to do it alone and in our own way, so that we understand what He goes through when He sees us stray and not heed what He has taught us. His sense of humor is wonderful! I can just see Him sitting in heaven with a smug grin wanting so badly to say “I told you so;” instead with just a little lilt in His voice, He says, “come here and let me take care of that skinned knee. Let me kiss it and make it all better.”
Has God disciplined you lately? Has He loved you both during and after moments of not heeding His Word? How has He helped you to cope? He extends to us this loving example. Try it with your children. It works.
