“If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.”Proverbs 15:32 NLT
We have become a socitety where the word discipline had become confused. Those who have grown up in a home where discipline was lacking are in most cases missing something, their respect for others and their property doesn’t mean the same. If they grew up in a home where they always got what they wanted and did what ever they wanted, then why now should that be any different in their work, their own families and social circles? A child who grew up in a home where they were harshly displined to the point of abuse will feel they never satisfy those around them, they are always wrong and seek to satisfy never reaching the mark. Discipline displayed in love and respect, providing guidelines and boundaries will most times produce well mannered respectful members of society. Of course this isn’t always the case especially true if the child is friends with someone who gets away with everything.
I say all this so we can hopefully identify who we are. How we accept discipline as a child will greatly effect how we receive discipline from our Heavenly Father. If we grew up with everything handed to us and freedom to do whatever we want, how hard will it be to accept discipline? We will most likely ignore it and go our own way. If discipline was abused and forced on us we will either expect God to be rough and abusive or we will hide away in our shell trying to avoid it either way we will reject it. Maybe you rejected the disciple of you parents due to what you seen other families doing, how easy then is it to reject Gods discipline when it comes as it shouldn’t apply to me.
As the Proverb states the rejection of discipline causes harm. Discipline is meant to redirect you from something that is harmful. If a child defiantly backtalks a parent, and they discipline them for it, the parent knows that later as an older teen or adult backtalking the wrong people could lead to backlash. Boss will fire you, police will arrest you, bullies will beat you up. You never see the full picture when your being disciplined. In the moment you feel so small and underappreciated. But as the Proverb continues, as we listen we understand. After we will see why it was necessary, though it may be days, weeks, months or years before we see it.
So today as we look to change our lives in Christ, are you willing to accept his discipline in you life? Will you listen to the words on the Holy Spirit in your life? Will you take his advice and move away from harmful things that seek to hold you back from what God has for you?
Jesus, thank you for loving us. Don’t stop guiding us in how to walk with you. I am willing to accept your disciple so that I can be an example of your love to those around me, I want to be effective in reaching the lost. They matter to you so they matter to me. Amen
50 Days of Pray 