Discipline, part II by Trish D'Antonio

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I talked about discipline a few weeks ago here. Well, I've recently been thinking about the Lord's discipline in my life, and was reading Hebrews - I find the following verses both comforting and challenging:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 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? If you are not disciplined, (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers displined us for a little while as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 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 12:5-11

So we will be disciplined - but how am responding to it? Do I consider it part of my growth process as a Christian, or something to moan and wail about? Am I focusing on my current discomfort, of the harvest of righteousness? I think I am more like the whiny, pouty child. I do what I know is wrong, but weep bitterly when I am "caught" and corrected.

My son is 3, and yesterday we had a serious issue when he decided he didn't want to play in our backyard, but the neighbor's. I was sitting at the kitchen table playing bills, while he played on the back porch - and all of a sudden he wasn't there anymore. Of course my first reaction was terror, and I raced out the back door, only to see he had climbed the fence (no alleys here, so we share our back fence with the neighbors) and was playing happily on their slide. Well, I got him back over and we promptly went inside where he got a spanking. Even as he was crying, he was clinging to me and saying, "Mommy! Mommy!" After he calmed down a bit, we talked about how he has to stay in our yard. This is serious. This is a safety issue!

I know the rules. I know that God only wants what's best for me, and that his rules are in place to protect me. I know that being jealous of a friend's lovely new furniture is not only petty, but sinful. I know that my body is His temple, and I need to take better care of it by eating properly and excercising. I know that as His child, my life should be a reflection of his love and peace - so much so that people want to know what's up with me... He wants to bring me to that place, but I choose the temporary pleasure - sin for a season. And when he lovingly disciplines me and I start crying, calling out for Him and wondering why I have to endure hardship, He still holds me close, patiently waiting for me to "get" it.

And discipine isn't just punishment. It's not only consequences for doing what is wrong, but blessings for doing what is right. God is like any parent - He wants to see his children succeed. He's not a hulking monster, ready to beat me into submission when I step off the line. No, he's there encouraging me, talking me through the process and ready to offer a big hug when I complete the task.

My son drives me crazy sometimes - why can't he just obey? Does he have to ask so many questions?!? And doesn't he remember what happened just 15 minutes ago when he did the same thing? But am I any better? I, too, need to learn from my experiences...

Friday May 26, 2006 - 07:33am (EDT)

It's amazing to think how much even our own children (maybe especially our own children) can teach us about our own sinfulness and God's mercy, grace, and love for us. Yes, though discipline is painful at the time, the hope that we always have to look forward to is that harvest of righteousness; being able to share in and shine out God's holiness!!! Wonderful post! I'm going to link it to my forum!!!