I was thinking about how I was raised and how I felt about it as a child. I lived with my mother and step-father and my step-father was a very strict man. I say very strict lightly because he wasn’t over the top strict, but he was much more strict than we were used to when we visited with our father. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that my step-father was strict only because he loved us and cared about us. He wanted good things for us, and he didn’t have to be like this because we weren’t his biological children. You know what, he knew God placed us into his life and he was determined to do whatever it took to take care of us, he loved us.
God is the same way. He’s our Father and He’s loving and caring and kind, but He also wants discipline for us. He wants us to fear Him and not want to do wrong or stray from Him, just like we fear what our earthly father will think if we do something wrong. We want to impress and live up to what our earthly father wants of us, why are we not constantly seeking to impress our Heavenly Father as well?
Proverbs 3:1-2
My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
Proverbs 3:11-12
My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Now I know that was long, but WOW! Isn’t it powerful!? Right there in the Bible (God’s love letter to us), it says to fear the LORD and shun evil. It also goes on to say, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his punishment because the LORD disciplines those he loves just a father delights in the son he loves.
Just like my step-father was strict on me when I was a child, the LORD is disciplining us, his children. When discipline is done in love it is for the good of the one being disciplined. For with no discipline in the world today the world would be a different place.
About Mandee
I do feel that I am disciplined because like you I was raised that way and have raised my children that way as well.