We are in the middle of trying to learn more about God's love, His discipline strategies, and His character. I don't claim to have that all figured out - but I wanted to record today's impression I received.
People say, "God did not make you sick." or "God does not hurt His children." We wonder why then do we endure such physical hardships. This morning, in my time with the Lord, I read something that really hit me as an answer to this dilemma I have had. It basically said that God eventually turns us over to the evil side when we refuse to repent or obey (I am paraphrasing). This finally made sense to me. I know God is a just God and He cannot be just and allow His children to repeatedly disobey without any consequences - not for their sake or for the sake of others. So, though GOD is not the one that brought the specific hardship, it is possible, by our refusing to obey and follow in His safety and protection of our lives, WE have allowed ourselves to exit His safety and enter into the kingdom of evil. We are game for the devil's schemes. So, today, I have a greater understanding that GOD's WILL IS for us to be whole, strong, free of sickness and disease, unbroken AND spiritually saved AND at the same time, He MUST discipline us as His sons. We should not get discouraged when we undergo discipline or fight it with more rebellion, but rather draw close to Him and repent! Don't stay in the "WHY ME?" God? Ask, "WHY" and listen for your convictions - but confess, repent, and be free and walk obediently forward and receive His forgiveness, love, and blessing on your life.
Here's today's picture of this I believe the Lord allowed me to see (after the fact).
I asked our six year old daughter to go check with our eight year old daughter if she needed any help doing the dishes. I had just outlined the schedule for the day, and both girls were to help with the dishes, laundry, and pick up. I was in the middle of changing the laundry, and I heard my oldest daughter respond with, "Does it look like I need help?" I was a bit overwhelmed with the attitude and sarcasm that came from her and not sure what to do to help her not be so venomous towards her younger sister (this has been an ongoing problem I have seen develop over the last year or so - for no apparant reason this animosity toward her younger sister at random times - some may chalk it up to moodiness, I personally think it's the devil's schemes to divide and conquer).
I stopped what I was doing, went to the kitchen and explained how I'd like her to respond. I role played it for her and asked my younger daughter to ask again if she needed any help.
"Do you need any help with the dishes?"
Unfortunately, my oldest daughter still had her arms crossed, her head bent low with hateful eyes, and she murmured whatever it was I had told her to say.
I felt I needed to raise the bar and this response was NOT what I was after. I want the "heart" attitude to be peaceful and loving. So, I kept after her. I modeled again with cheerful inflection in my voice what I wanted her to say and how I wanted her to say it. I validated that even though she may not be happy, I wanted her to "fake it" and act out the part as I had given it to her (she had an acting class last semester so she understood what I was saying). I told her to pretend she had a marble in her mouth (which she cracked a smile to laugh and quickly caught herself) and say something like, "Sure. I'd love your help. Thank you for asking."
Now - I recognize myself in this situation. It is HARD to swallow your pride and respond in any way positively once you have made up your mind to be miserable and let those around you be miserable. However, as the parent, I needed her to obey my leading for her sake, my other daughter's sake, and for our home environment.
So, we tried it again. Still, eyes hateful, head bowed low, mumbled response. I immediately reacted and told her we needed to have a discipline. I took her to her room and her and I worked through it. In the end, she actually pointed out that I read the Bible and I don't do everything it says. This was said with a sincere and loving heart. It really hit my heart that my responsibility to model what I am expecting of her is SO great! (I took that comment as a discipline from God! - or we could say a "natural consequence")
When it was all over, it hit my husband and I that we had just experienced what we are reading in the Bible. MANY times, God gives His children warnings and instructions. He tells them over and over, this is what I want you to do. He begs them to repent. When they just won't do it, He must discipline them! This is what creates the justice that He has. This is the safety net for all His children. The discipline gets their attention that He is serious. The discipline also motivates them to take Him seriously the next time He tells them to do something (for their own good and the good of those around them). The discipline is what motivates them to follow all the rules of God, out of the fear of what could be.
The discipline can be painful and it is unpleasant for the parent to administer. This is why the warnings, the explanations, the teaching and training. But, when that is not working, the discipline must come.
We should not rebel against God when He disciplines us. And, we should not feel God does not love us when He disciplines us. After all, He has given us His WORD to live by. It is us who are choosing to hold onto our pride and ways and refusing to bend where He asks us to.
Not our will but His. It is in the bending that we truly find joy, peace, love, and rest. We don't have to have it our way. That only results in wasted time and energy on our part - and even can hurt those around us.
Scripture References:
RR 02/03/11
When it was all over, it hit my husband and I that we had just experienced what we are reading in the Bible. MANY times, God gives His children warnings and instructions. He tells them over and over, this is what I want you to do. He begs them to repent. When they just won't do it, He must discipline them! This is what creates the justice that He has. This is the safety net for all His children. The discipline gets their attention that He is serious. The discipline also motivates them to take Him seriously the next time He tells them to do something (for their own good and the good of those around them). The discipline is what motivates them to follow all the rules of God, out of the fear of what could be.
- Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. Deut 8:5 NIV
- Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. Hebrews 12:10 NIV
- Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17 NIV
- Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; Psalm 94:12
- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline... Proverbs 1:7
- My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke... Proverbs 3:11 NIV
- For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life... Provers 6:23
- He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Proverbs 10:17
- Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1
- He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. Proverbs 13:18
- He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Proverbs 13:24 NIV
- A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. Proverbs 15:5 NIV
- Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. Proverbs 15:10
- He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. Proverbs 15:32 NIV
- Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. Proverbs 19:18
- Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. Proverbs 22:15 NIV
- Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Proverbs 23:13 NIV
- Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. - Pro 29:17 NIV
- Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline. - Jer 17:23 NIV
- I am with you and will save you,' declares the LORD. 'Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.' - Jer 30:11 NIV
- They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline. - Jer 32:33 NIV
- Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you," declares the LORD. "Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished." - Jer 46:28 NIV
- The rebels are deep in slaughter. I will discipline all of them. - Hsa 5:2 NIV
- And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, - Hbr 12:5 NIV
- Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? - Hbr 12:7 NIV
- If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. - Hbr 12:8 NIV
- No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. - Hbr 12:11 NIV
- Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. - Rev 3:19 NIV
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