The Discipline of God

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

      “ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
      Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
       6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens,
      And scourges every son whom He receives.” (from Proverbs 3:11, 12)

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 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. –Hebrews 12:3-11

As a parent, I have had to discipline my children. I did this because I love them and seek their best interests. I absolutely hated to, but I understood/understand that it is my responsibility to teach them right from wrong. If I don’t teach them, I neglect my great responsibility and they will suffer in the long run.

I personally do not like to be rebuked or punished; however, knowing myself as I do, and knowing the Lord, I realize to become what I need to be and want to be, I need God to chastise me. I pray that He would do whatever He needs to do to get me in right standing with Him. Only then will I see Him more clearly and experience His goodness at the next level.