My 4.5 year old daughter is at a stage where she does not like to hear the word ‘NO’.
She tries to convince me to have her way the way she wants, in a nice gentle way and with sweet words. She has developed a habit of saying ‘BUT ‘. A classic example ‘ yes, momma I know I should not have chocolates at night BUT can I please have it and I will brush my teeth before bed ‘
When my parenting is firm with a clear NO , she would tell me ‘ I am not happy with you momma’ . And when she has calmed down, we would sit down for a chat and I would tell her ‘ Hannah, I did not like the way you behaved’ , for which she would say’ I am sorry momma BUT momma I know you love me even when I am not nice to you or even when you are angry at me ‘ . She has so much confidence in momma’s love for her that she has realised that when momma disciplines, even though she does not like it , it is for her own good. And she has the confidence that me knowing her weaknesses is not going to make me love her any less. She believes and knows that momma loves her no matter what, even when she is naughty.
Such is the child like confidence we need to develop in our Father’s love for us. The Lord disciplines those He loves . God embraces us just the way we are and just like a clay in the potter’s hand, He moulds us with corrections to our lives so we can be the best of what He created us to be
My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,
But don’t be crushed by it either.
It’s the child he loves that He disciplines;
The child he embraces, he also correctsHebrews 12:6
We love to live the abundant life the Lord has intended for us and blessed us with. We try to live our lives according to the Word and His instructions. Disciplining is a part of all this training where God teaches us to discern the good and the bad so we can be God’s best. We always love a great outcome, without having to work hard for it. God Word encourages us not to resent His discipline
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
Don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
A father’s delight is behind all thisProverbs 3:9-12
And He goes on to say in Hebrews 12:9-11 that God is doing the best for us and though discipline is not much fun, it does pay off in God’s kingdom
God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God
Hebrews 12:9-11
My prayer for you today is as you learn to allow God into areas where He is knocking your door to correct you, help discipline you for your own good, may you rest in the assurance that God’s love is greater than anyone else’s that you might have ever experienced on this earth and know deep in your heart that God is trust worthy of your confidence as He laid His life for YOU so you can have an abundant eternal life.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
Don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on trackProverbs 3:5-6
He is for you, He is with you and will always guide you.
Stay Blessed in Him
fromHisHearttoyours 