If I were running headlong into oncoming traffic, would you stop me? What if your little brother or sister was playing with matches? Would you take them away & give them a good talking to? I hope you would! Getting involved and stopping someone from hurting themselves or others shows love. If you didn't care, why would you intervene?
God cares! He doesn't just stand by & let you keep hurting yourself & others over & over again. Instead He disciplines us to keep us safe, to help us stop making those same mistakes over & over. Unfortunately, many of us bristle at the word discipline. We want to be left alone, we don't want any consequences. Just let me live my life & leave me alone. I think this attitude comes from a misunderstanding of the word discipline. I think we liken it to punishment. BUT - these are two completely different concepts:
Discipline - 1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior,
especially training that produces moral or mental improvement. 2. Discipline means a field of study or is training to fix incorrect behavior or create better skills.
Punishment - 1. a punishing or being punished 2. a penalty imposed on an offender for a crime or wrongdoing 3. harsh or injurious treatment
Do you see the difference? Discipline is training that gives you good skills. Discipline is given out of love & relationship. It is a desire to see an improvement in the life of the disciplined. Punishment is a harsh penalty imposed on an offender. You did this, so now you're going to get this. It's given out by an impartial judge. It's not about relationship.
So, when you receive discipline, don't give up, don't get an attitude, & don't ignore it! Pay attention and receive it with grace so you become the person you are meant to be.
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