Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good. ~ Deuteronomy 8:5 (NLT)
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We often think of discipline as punishment, probably because when little Johnny hits his sister or little Suzie sticks the hamster in the toilet bowl, they get 'punished' with a spanking, or a time out, or a good talking to, or all of the above. Inflicting consequences for bad behavior is usually regarded as punishment. But discipline is a teaching tool, and although the method may be the same, the motive is so very different.
We do want to teach our children about right conduct and good attitudes. But when they misbehave, sometimes we just get plain mad, and what should be discipline just becomes punishment. Parents sometimes lose sight of the teaching when anger reaches the boiling point. You may spank your child for hitting a sibling, but if you're spanking out of anger, what you end up teaching them is how an adult gives an apology, rather than teaching them to respect others (especially their siblings) and how to deal effectively with anger.
Yet, God never has wrong motives when correcting His children...
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
~ Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV)
Many people think that when bad things happen to them that God must be punishing them. Well, the truth is that God makes the sun and rain to shine on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45), and with a sin-sick world, evil has its day for all people. But the beauty of being in relationship with God is that He uses all circumstances to instruct and guide His children to be more like His Son, Jesus. God can't let His kids get away with hitting their siblings or sticking the hamster in the toilet. He loves us and wants us to mature in righteousness and grace and love. And so He disciplines us -- correcting, training, instructing, and yes, sometimes spanking. It can be painful at times, but oh, so necessary.
If you are willing, you can see the loving hand of God instructing you through life events and experiences. If you believe you're getting a spanking from Him for wrong behavior, then take your licking with a repentant heart, and learn from that lesson. If you can't identify sinful behavior, then get your internal notepad out and start taking notes from your Instructor. Because, believe me, we have a LOT to learn from Him -- it'll take us a lifetime to learn in full the things of God, and to make them an integral part of our daily fabric.
Happy learning, my friends!
Love,
Joelene
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