Being Open to Discipline
Psalm 94:12-13 NIV
"Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your laws; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked."
"That kid needs his butt beat," I used to say to myself as I'd walk down the aisles at the grocery store. Because I came from a family who went to church, and knew the importance of discipline, I was disciplined throughout my childhood. Ironically, though, I struggle with disciplining my kids. Now don't get me wrong, my children are not bad kids. I, however, used to have a difficult time trying to find the fine line between too much and not enough in the discipline department. There have been many times where I've wanted to back down from a time out threat or a spank on the bottom, but it is through scripture that I have found peace in the follow through. Though discipline be painful at the time, it is through discipline that our children learn to be the humans they were created to be (Hebrews 12:11).
Like parents discipline their children, God disciplines his children. God's discipline towards us is never done out of anger or else that would be called punishment... which was defeated when he sent his only Son to die on the cross for us. On the contrary, God's discipline is out of his love for us. When God disciplines us, he is trying to do a work within us. As a result, this new work will bring us closer to God and reflect his image in our lives. If we are open and accepting to his discipline, we will begin to see his blessings pour out on us. When we are open to his discipline, and don't fight against him, he will bring us relief from the troubles we are facing. Just as my discipline towards my girls is out of love to better their future, God's loving discipline will guide and direct us throughout our life in our walk with him.
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