Discipline

Discipline

Joyful are those you discipline, LORD, those you teach with your instructions. You give them relief from troubled times.

AS A YOUNG CHILD, I remember my parents telling me not to do certain behaviors. When I would ask why, the answer was often simply “Because it’s wrong” or “Because it’s a sin.” That may have been true, but those answers didn’t give me much of a reason not to do something I knew I shouldn’t. Truth be told, I was the kind of kid who was filled with a burning desire to do whatever I was told not to do. With little to no explanation as to the exact reason or consequences for a specific choice, I gave into my own desires, unintentionally creating some unhealthy habits in my life that were not easily undone as an adult.

When I became a young adult and started studying Scripture for myself, I began to understand many of the reasons behind God’s boundaries—all stemming from his great love for us. Once I knew God’s heart, I wanted to walk in his truth. After several years of having to relearn what was healthy and good for me, especially in relationships, I realized how much conflict and shame and disconnect could have been avoided if I’d simply understood why God’s law was good for me, right from the start.

God’s discipline and instruction always leads us to a place where we are in close connection with him and with one another. God isn’t a judge waiting to punish us when we misstep or hold our guilt over us so we’ll be shamed into trying to do better. His discipline and law are meant to give us relief from troubled times. They are meant to bring us to the best that this life has to offer—peace, joy, love, and comfort. Does this mean we’ll never experience hardships? No, not at all. But it does mean that no matter what we face, we know that God is with us. And we can find comfort in him like we will never find anywhere else.

Lord, help us to follow your instructions, knowing that your discipline comes from a place of love and protection. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: Spend some time thinking about how God’s discipline has shown his love and protection for you.