Discipline

Discipline

Proverbs 3:11-12 – My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you.  For the Lord correct those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Your five year old child just stole a snickers bar in a grocery store after you told him he could not have it.  After you arrive home to find out what your child has done, you discipline him.  You take him back to the grocery store to apologize and return the candy bar he stole.  He feels ashamed and in some cases humiliated, but you tell him you love him and thank him for doing the right thing.  This is a form of discipline.
For five days a week, a career martial artist trains his mind and body for the rigors of fighting.  He puts himself through sweat, blood, and exhaustion so he may be ready for an upcoming fight.  He does not receive recognition or reward, but he disciplines himself consistently so he can give it all he has.
Discipline is a very good quality.  It is that quality which drives us from immoral behavior, or drives us towards success.  It is a quality that money cannot buy.  Without it, we become people blowing where the wind takes us driven to perform sinful acts we are prone to do.
When God disciplines us in whatever way He sees fit, He is not punishing us or trying to make us suffer.  God is disciplining us to run from evil, to resist temptation, and to drive us to become more like Christ.  Yes, it may hurt our feelings, make us feel humiliated when we do something wrong, but if we humble ourselves to His disciplining, we will become more like Christ and produce a character that only He can provide.