Discipline

 Hebrews 12:11 ESV

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.


No kid likes being disciplined by their dad. Yet the purpose of discipline isn't punitive so much as restorative. Parents don't want their kid to grow up spoilt: we want them to grow up in the way they should go.

God is a loving heavenly Father. His discipline can feel severe at the time. Yet he's seeking restoration for us from going astray.

The gospel teaches us that something painful like discipline can have a peaceful result. Jesus didn't need to be disciplined, but he bore the cross for us s that we can have eternal life. God can bring good out of something that feels bad at the time.

As an aside, the devil does the opposite to God. He seeks to bring bad out of things that feel good at the time. He wants to laden us down with guilt and shame; God wants to set us free.

'Loving Father God, please discipline us rather than spoil us. Help us to endure the pain and enjoy the peaceful fruit of righteousness. In Jesus' name we ask, amen'.

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