“My son, do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the LORD [learn from your mistakes and the testing that comes from His correction through discipline]; nor despise His rebuke, for those whom the LORD loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11-12 AMP)
“For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” (Hebrews 12:10-11 NLT)
“I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.” (Revelation 3:19 NLT)
As I was considering what to say about this painful topic of discipline I had a memory pop up that brought a smile to my heart and a snicker to my lips. Way back in the dark ages of my childhood (sometime between the discovery of fire and the placement of computers in my school classrooms – which actually didn’t happen until after I graduated) there was a particular rainy evening in which my brother and I were bored. Living in the country, on a stretch of road with only four or five farms, life could become boring very quickly. When this boredom crept into more than one of us at a time it became very dangerous, very quickly. We were forced to create some fun. Look out world!
On this particular night the rain had brought out the frogs. We decided that we needed to see how far a frog could fly. Now don’t misunderstand me, I am not recommending that anyone repeat this experiment. After a few test flights we decided that we needed to see how coordinated a flying frog could be. Therefore we gathered up a few test pilots and headed to the end of our driveway. The test was to wait until a car was approaching and then launch our test pilot to fly across the road without getting hit. You guessed it. We experienced the first mid air collision between a flying frog and a car windshield. To make matters worse the driver of the car was our Aunt.
The end of the story is that as soon as the collision took place the car brake lights came on and our Aunt quickly backed up into our driveway to set things right. For some reason she bypassed checking on the well being of the frog pilot and went straight to the air traffic controller (dad) to lodge a complaint. As she drove away our dad did what all loving fathers (and conscientious controllers) would do. He grounded all flights and warmed the seat of our pants. With each warming blow my brother and I would look at each other and try to fight back the uncontrolled laughter that began to erupt during the increasing warmth of our posteriors. The air traffic controller (dad) could see that our plane collision was becoming a train wreck so he sent two boys with tears running down their cheeks, and laughter bursting from their lips, into the hanger (early bedtime). All operations were grounded from that point forward.
Looking back, many of the disciplinary moments that I experienced while growing up are now my best memories. Even the times that brought greater pain (and did not create laughter) hold great value in my life. That is true of my earthly father and my heavenly Father. Discipline done correctly brings very positive results. It is not punishment. It is not retribution. It is not abuse. It is not payback or taking vengeance on the one who did the wrongdoing.
My Daddy (my heavenly Abba Father – Daddy Papa) disciplines me in order to disciple me. He is confronting and correcting areas of unacceptable immaturity, dangerous behaviour, damaging thoughts, and hurtful communication. His discipline in my life is intended to help me to grow into the son of God that I was created to be. It is conforming me to the image of his Son Jesus Christ.It is one of the primary ways that the person that I am in my spirit moves into my body and soul.
I learned years ago to embrace discipline from both my earthly and heavenly Fathers as something of great value. What took me longer to figure out was how my heavenly Father disciplines me. Without a clear understanding of what this discipline looks like, I become open prey for the enemy (just like Job). If I label suffering (pain) that comes from the enemy (or the consequences of my own actions) as discipline from the Lord then my life will move in a direction that does not line up with my Father’s desire and design (will) for me.
Tomorrow, I will take a closer look. But first, I am going to think about…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 405: Discerned Suffering: Sufferings FROM Christ: The Pain of Discipline