I recently had a dream I was on base in a big league baseball game. Like a dummy, I ran on a fly ball with one out and got doubled off. The manager didn’t seem too upset until he told me he was fining me $250,000 dollars! I complained to no avail. He made the rules.
There have been times in my life I felt the Lord’s discipline was too harsh and unreasonable. Then I remember…He is Lord, so He makes the rules. The more I’ve come to know the character of my heavenly Father, the more I understand why His discipline needs to be painful.
“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 . . . 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.” Hebrews 12:6-8, 10-11
The most important words in those verses is “The Lord disciplines those He loves”.
Father loves us and wants us to share in His holiness. He disciplines us because he knows what joy we will experience when we are living holy lives. Loving fathers always want the best for their kids. Lessons are harder to learn if there are no painful consequences for disobedience.
During training, baseball coaches work their players until it hurts. The goal is a World Series ring. God is training us to be champions in this battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. At times His discipline may seem extremely painful. We may face some severe consequences due to our mistakes, but if we remember God is training us to be holy, and then submit to His discipline, we will reign in life—more than conquerers.
I’ll take that over a World Series ring any day!
“I have made you pure, but not by fire, as silver is made pure. I have purified you by giving you troubles.” Isaiah 48:10
Heartspills 
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