As a parent, I often find myself providing discipline for my children as a consequence to their choices. Many times these consequences come as a result to their disobedience which not only affects them, but often affects those around them. Providing discipline is honestly my least favorite "job" as a parent, but I love my children, therefore I want to provide correction and guidance right now that they are young, so that as they grow, good choices that glorify God will become part of their everyday life.    

As a child of God, I too have experienced God’s divine discipline in my life. At times it may be easy to think that it is unfair, but we must remember that God disciplines those whom he loves.² Hebrews 12:7-8 reminds us, “As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God does not discipline you as he does all his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.” God, like any loving parent, does not want us to suffer unnecessarily. However, when we choose to stray from His will, he will allow circumstances in our life to help stop us in our tracks, reflect on our actions, and return to his loving arms.

As today’s verse says, “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.” Each circumstance in our lives is molding our character to become more like Christ. We are being prepared for much more than this earthly life, which is temporary. We are being prepared for eternity. When we think of what God saved us from by adopting us as his children through the blood of his Son, Jesus, we can appreciate the discipline he gives us knowing that it is out of his great love for us.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for your great love for me. Not only did you send your only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin and give me the hope of eternal life, but you also guide me daily while teaching me your ways. Even though discipline is never enjoyable in the moment, I pray that you would help me appreciate it knowing that you are making me more like you. I pray you would give me a teachable and humble spirit to daily submit to your will in my life. I trust that you know what is best for me and know that you walk with me always. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

1. Hebrews 12:10-11 (NLT).

2. Hebrews 12:6 (NLT).