Correction and Outcome

Correction and Outcome

5:52

“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 12:12, NIV.

Why do we wrinkle our nose at discipline? Why do we avoid it and actually get angry when we feel it thrust upon us?

I looked up discipline and found these meanings:

1: control gained by enforced obedience or order

2: behavior in accordance with rules: orderly conduct

3: self-control//lacked the discipline

to practice regularly

I might not wrinkle my nose at being disciplined, but I have been known to roll my eyes. Feeling that justice could be better served elsewhere. It wasn’t until I was older that I appreciated these moments of forced quiet reflection.

I was growing and changing into the person God was calling me to be. The words spoken to me in those “reflection moments,” actually stayed with me and acted as invisible walls of protection against future outburst. They provided “orderly conduct.” Due to the protective nature of said walks, I was learning self-control.

I just read a quote from a nameless Monk: “Discipline is kindness to your future self.” I would have to agree. Well, I agree now. But as God’s word says, it was not pleasant at the time. But my adult self says thank you to parents, teachers and pastors who saw that a bit of discipline was needed.

It definitely could have been worse. What if I was never disciplined? What if my behavior was ignored because my parents believed it was

best to wait until I outgrew my insubordination?

I think I would have learned “the hard way,” through consequences.

Consequence: something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions.

For example, a child has a temper and lashes out, yet it goes unchecked. What happens to said child as they grow up without the gift of invisible boundaries?

A hand through a window due to frustration might be the result of a temper left unchecked. This action might leave a scar on their hand for the rest of their life. A constant reminder of a bad choice.

Or another choice could be sitting on the couch with someone, helping them to calm down, creating a forced reflective moment of discipline.

One leaves a scar, the other leaves with a hug and a thank you, eventually.

I don’t know about you, but disciplining my kids was never easy or enjoyable. Okay maybe one time, but he had really ticked me off—another story for another time. But usually I didn’t enjoy watching their faces turn from shock of getting caught, to anger. But when they finally resolved the issue, there was tenderness, and a change of heart.

The problem with parenting is that it needs to be repeated, often.

Just like our heavenly Father does with us. His tender discipline is always for our benefit. It is never a forced enjoyment. God is not sadistic. That’s a mankind thing, not a Creator God thing.

“Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭12‬-‭13‬, NIV‬‬.

God does not enjoy having to “set us down for a talk.” He enjoys our willful obedience. Our pleasure to do what He says, brings Him joy.

He will correct our behavior because it’s what’s best for us. That’s how we grow in order to do God’s right things. His corrections are not only for children, but for adults as well.

How are we doing today? Feeling overwhelmed by God’s constant reproaches? Are we able to see these barriers to bad behavior as a gift? Are we able to submit to God today?

Father,

We love You. We surrender our ways to You. There are days when we pray this through gritted teeth, help it not be today. Help us to see You and know You for who You are—a loving, caring Father.

You really do want what is best for us, help us to want that too. And not our own imagined best.

You are such a good Father, and we love You.

Amen.