God’s Discipline

Three Encouraging Facts – If You Are Under God’s Discipline

One of the most difficult aspects of life is the process of being disciplined. Now, I did not say the process of ‘disciplining yourself’. That is challenging enough. 




I am talking about the process between a parent and a child, a coach and a player, between God and us.

Here are some facts that should add perspective to the process.

1. Discipline is a sign of LOVE!

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Hebrews 12:5b-6

If God didn’t love you – he wouldn’t bother. Disciplining someone else is unpleasant both for the person giving it and the person receiving it. But if he didn’t love us, he wouldn’t discipline us. He would leave us in the condition we are in.

God loves us just the way we are. But he loves us too much to let us stay that way.

2. Discipline is a sign of FAITH!

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. 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. Hebrews 12:10-11

You discipline someone not just because you love them, but because you believe in what they can become. Training produces righteousness, which means to be rightly aligned with God’s good character. That right alignment brings about a future harvest.

It mentions what the harvest is: 1) we share in his holiness – which implies not only purity, and character but also special favor. 2) We gain peace that overflows and overwhelms our lives. 3) It is for our good – in every way we gain the benefits of God’s best for our lives.

3. Discipline is a sign of RELATIONSHIP!

One way you can know you are truly a child of God, on your way to heaven – is the fact that you are undergoing His discipline in your life.

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Hebrews 12:7-8

So be encouraged. If you feel you are experiencing hardship that feels a lot like God’s discipline? That means God loves you like crazy! It means that He believes in you and that he is investing in the future harvest of greatness in your life.

It also means that you are His son or daughter. He is your Dad. He loves you, wants to protect you, and cares about you more than you could ever understand.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Hebrews 12:12-13.