Since
becoming a Christian, one of the most compassionate, tenderhearted things the
Lord has allowed me to experience in this walk of faith is…His correction. He has disciplined me by speaking directly to
my heart in moments of weakness and through the hearing and study of His
Word. Even more painful, He has also
disciplined me by allowing me to suffer the consequences of my choices –
allowing me to reap what I have sown.
But most excruciating, at times He has disciplined me through
individuals He has placed in my life.
When those times of discipline have
come, I have felt a variety of uncomfortable emotions: frustration, discouragement,
fear, embarrassment and deep remorse.
But in those moments, when I have chosen to receive rather than resist
His correction, I have also experienced: hope, freedom, restoration,
forgiveness, acceptance, and best of all…His love – and not just any kind of
love, but the love of an adoring father.
Discipline, though painful, is an
act of compassion. It protects us from
continuing to make destructive choices – choices that can destroy dreams,
careers, reputations, relationships and even our very lives. The Father longs for His children to flourish
and to bear “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” – to live a life that bears
the quality of eternity.
His
correction is proof-positive that you are His and you are loved!
Hebrews
12:5b-7, 11
…My
son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are
rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every
son whom He receives. Now no chastening seems to
be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the
peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Suggested
Prayer
Father,
I praise You, for Your lovingkindness is better than life! Thank You for proving my legitimacy as Your
child by correcting me when I go astray in my attitudes, thoughts, words, and
actions. Thank You for loving me enough
to do what it takes to redirect my steps – even if that means allowing me to
feel and experience the pain that comes with Your discipline. Father, I pray You would create in me a heart
that is humble and teachable so I would not yield to any temptation to avoid or
resist Your instruction. Fashion in me a
heart so humble that I become willing to receive Your discipline even through
someone I do not respect and who may even take pleasure in causing me
grief. Oh Lord, train me until it can be
said that I have yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness in my life. May it be a blessing to family, friend and
foe; and may it bring glory to Your name!
In
Jesus name, I pray…Amen.
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