Romancing The Rock

Do you ever wonder why we find discipline so hard? I mean, it’s actually good for us, isn’t it? And yet, we don’t want to be disciplined. For some reason, we receive correction as a message that we’re not good enough. That we’re being judged unfairly. But really, is that true?

When I think about being a mother (yes, Mother’s Day is only a few days away), and why I discipline my children, it has nothing to do with a belief that they’re not worthy. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I love my children and I want them to grow up to be people who are esteemed by others; who have qualities such as integrity, patience and graciousness. I want them to be the best they can be. And sometimes, they need guidance, training and yes, discipline in order to grow into that. They have limited understanding and wisdom compared to mine as a parent. I discipline because I know the consequences of continued bad behaviour. I discipline because I know how one bad habit leads to another and so on. I discipline because I love! And I don’t enjoy it. How much more would I rather they just listen the first time and say “Hey, Mummy knows a few things, we should listen to her and do what she says.”

All that from a parent who is imperfect. But God is perfect and He also disciplines those He loves. I was reading from Deuteronomy the other day, where Moses is reading the law to the Israelites. One verse really stood out to me, where the Lord said “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever.” (Deut 5:29) Can you hear the loving plea in that? To me, it is just like how I wish my children would just obey so that all goes well with them. The discipline comes when we refuse to listen and obey, but God doesn’t really want to do it. He has to, because he loves us and wants us to be the best we can be, and to live a life of blessing and not negative consequences. For we all know we reap what we sow, don’t we?

So, the next time you are feeling like you are under discipline, remember it is an expression of love, not anger or hate. Receive it with humility, learn the lesson you are meant to learn and move on to better things.

Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. [Job 5:17 NIV]

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]