Today's reading: Proverbs 3:11-12
I doubt I'm alone in saying that I don't particularly enjoy being disciplined. In fact, I try to avoid it. But Proverbs 3:11-12 delivers the message that being disciplined is a necessary part of our living for God.
Because we aren't perfect and never will be this side of heaven, we sin. Sometimes we're blatant about it, intentionally choosing to do things our way. Other times our moving away from God is more subtle, like a wandering or drifting away. In both situations and everything in between, if at some point we don't turn back to God, He will eventually use discipline to get our attention and bring us back in alignment with Him. And even though the experience of being disciplined may not be pleasant, we should be thankful for it because God's discipline is evidence of His great love and care for us. Instead of writing us off like a lost cause, He lovingly uses discipline to teach, protect and guide us, and through it all, our relationship with this wonderfully personal God grows and matures.
In times or seasons of discipline, how do you tend to respond, and why? How have you benefited from God's discipline? What's one example? Tami
I think the majority of my responses were to try again using a different route or tactic, but still ending up with the same results. In my perservarence I finally figured out that there was a much easier and far superior alternative than trying to control the outcome. Letting go and letting God, I had to relinquish my old ways and realize that Gods ways are far better and easier.
I'm grateful that the Lord restores us to the right path when we stray from it, rather than making us start back at square one.