Let's face it, none of us really like discipline! Discipline is not a fun thing... that's what makes it discipline! But the truth of the matter is that discipline is for our benefit. When we were children our parents disciplined us when we did things we shouldn't do because they wanted us to become the best people we could become. I don't think any of us probably enjoyed that discipline but ultimately it was for our benefit. I've known people over the years who really lacked parental discipline during their childhood and although it may have seemed like a great thing at the time, their lives have been ruined because of it.
The Bible speaks of how God also disciplines us for our benefit so that we can become all that he intends us to be. Listen to the words from Hebrews 12:
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 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 spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 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.
Our natural tendency is to want to run from trial, hardship, pain and discipline but sometimes those are the very things we need to go through to grow into the people that God wants us to be.
I heard this great quote once about self-discipline that has stuck with me: "Discipline yourself so someone else won't have to." I love that because the truth is the only time someone else has to discipline us is when we are not doing what we are supposed to do. So if you discipline yourself to do the things you know you need to be doing, then no one else is going to have to discipline you.
So consider, in what areas are you being disciplined? In what areas do you need to be more disciplined?
