I was having a conversation with a friend the other day and we started talking about God’s discipline in our lives. Our conversation made me start thinking that there might be other people with questions about God’s discipline in the lives of his children. After all, the idea of love and discipline being connected can be difficult for us to reconcile as we may have encountered unloving discipline in our lives.
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. ” (Proverbs 3:11–12, ESV)
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews (12:3-17) references this Proverb as he encourages us as followers of Jesus to not grow weary as we face adversity in our lives. Ultimately God’s discipline exists to encourage us in our growth as his children. God will do whatever it takes for us to be formed into the image of his Son. The painful tests and trials in life require our response in faith trusting our loving Father’s discipline.
In light of Proverbs 3:12, we ought to be encouraged when we face the discipline of God because his discipline indicates we are his children. James 1:2-4 say, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ”(James 1:2–4, ESV) The thought of God’s discipline in our life being viewed positively is important for every follower of Jesus. God is not looking to get us or to get even with us but instead to love us. God loves us enough to bring loving discipline to shape us into who he desires us to be.
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