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 12:11, NIV
“I’m not comin’ in, and you can’t make me!”
These bold words came from a fourth grader after I informed him that he had earned fifteen minutes of detention during recess. Sadly, this wasn’t his first time in this situation. Although the consequence was necessary, both for his accountability and for the expectations it set for his classmates, he never seemed to learn from it.
His repeated resistance reminded me of how often we do the same with God.
The author of Hebrews urges us to endure discipline and submit to it so that we can learn from it. As our Heavenly Parent, God uses many different forms of discipline in our lives. Unlike us as teachers, He has countless ways to shape His children, and He customizes His discipline perfectly to our needs. Our role is to submit to it, not to wriggle out of it, shift blame, or pretend it’s unnecessary.
Are you facing a difficult season right now? If so, remember: God’s discipline is not mere punishment. It is the loving instruction of a Father who treats us as His own children. Instead of resisting, we can ask, “Lord, what are You trying to teach me in this?”
Because if we avoid the lesson, we may find ourselves repeating the pain until we finally learn, grow, and submit to His loving guidance.
I am choosing to learn from You today, Lord, in the life lessons You are teaching me. Please open my eyes where I am blind. Thank You. Amen.
Copyright Shirley Wilson.
Shirley is a retired Christian Educators member and former board member.
