If God loves me, why does he punish me? - Love - TouchPoints

Proverbs 3:12The Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Proverbs 13:24Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

Proverbs 29:15To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Hebrews 12:5-11Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Discipline as God intends it should be instructive. It should keep us from doing what is wrong, strengthen our good habits, and protect us from harm. It is life-building and life-giving. Truly loving parents care more about their children’s well-being than their approval. Parents who don’t discipline their children demonstrate a lack of care.