Genesis 28-29; Matthew 9:18-38; Psalms 11:1-7; Proverbs 3:11-12

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV)

When I was young, I used to dread getting in trouble. As a peacemaker enneagram type, I realize now that I hated there to be any sort of turbulence around me, and of course if a parent or guardian was upset with something I did, then I wasn’t experiencing peace in my life. I believe this shaped me into who I am now: I want to get everything right, I don’t want to be told I’m wrong or get “in trouble,” and I don’t like to handle any situations that cannot be resolved quickly and succinctly. I will look for a surface solution to “restore peace” rather than working on the deeper issues. I recognize my shortcomings by God’s grace, and am thankfully working on rewiring my response patterns.

As someone who dreads getting in trouble, it’s hard to imagine God “disciplining” as the Bible speaks of. Passages about God’s wrath or anger are quickly read through; I identify more with the God of love, the God of peace, the God who calls me His treasured daughter. But as humans we are complex, and as our creator God is complex, and we can embrace all aspect of His character.

And that’s exactly what this verse is pointing out–because God is a God of love, he disciplines His children. I think many of us when thinking about discipline may associate this with the techniques used by our parents–anger, yelling, possibly even physical punishment. We don’t associate discipline with love–but God is perfect, his anger is just and his discipline is fair. And He comes from a place of pure love for us, His children.

I imagine that discipline from the Lord is the redirecting, the forcing of us to slow down, the quiet “no” to a prayer that does not fit into his will. He’s not punishing us–He’s crafting us into better children, the next time more able to hear his voice and follow his path. His discipline fine tunes us and our response to Him and His community. In this, we shouldn’t be afraid of His discipline, but embrace it and accept it for the ultimate shaping He designed it to be.

I don’t know what his discipline looks like in your life, but I’d encourage you tonight to ask God where he is shaping you. Ask, “Father God, what areas of my life are you currently working with me on? Is there anything you want to point out to me tonight?” Then listen and journal anything you may be feeling. I know the Lord has shown me hard truths this way, but always through love and never in shame. There can be sadness and regret at previous failures, but the Lord doesn’t call us to live there. He calls us to be victors in His love.

Today I am thankful that my creator cares enough about me to continue to shape me into the woman he desires me to be. And I pray that I am open enough to Him to experience the gift of his discipline and guidance.