I am reminded of the words of parents everywhere before disciplining the child: “This will hurt me more than it will hurt you.” When hearing those words, it is difficult to fathom what is meant by them as the one giving is not having to endure the pain of receiving.
Until I grew older and then understood. I was not taking into account the pain that was being felt from the fact that the discipline was required for actions taken that were not pleasing or in line with what had been taught. The internal pain of knowing that my child did not utilize the knowledge that had been given whether intentional or not, gives an initial feeling of failure, and how many of us like to fail.
“10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV)
Reading the words in Hebrews, I see that discipline is necessary for the good of the child, and it is good for the parent as well. Now both have the opportunity to share in the experience together and grow from it. Sharing the reward that comes once the discipline is complete provides so much joy for both the parent and the child. Less discipline is needed as they get older as they have learned from the discretion they engaged in before and therefor avoid them for the future.
How much better am I when I learn from God through the discipline He provides. It is painful for me to experience at the time, however I learn and therefor avoid the same mistake in the future. God shares my pain as He feels the disappointment in my failure and the fact that He has to carry out the discipline in the first place. But, the two of us get to share in the glory that comes from my learning and the idea that I will not (or at least should not) make the same mistake again in the future.
When you are on the receiving end of discipline, what is going through your mind? Are you thinking of the disappointment you have caused for the one delivering the discipline and the hurt that comes with that disappointment? Are you able to share the immediate pain and subsequently the joy in the future outcomes from the discipline?
Trevor's Thoughts 