Not a punishment, but training:
V11 – For 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.
When I was young, my parents used to discipline me at home. They would ask me to do chores that I find unfair and difficult because I was young, small and powerless. I used to throw tantrums and whine all the time because I always wanted to play and be with my cousins and friends. But they would make me do the chores and only until I finished my tasks, then I get to play. I really hate afternoon naps, and I used to sneak out from the house and come home muddy and dirty.
Growing up, I learned valuable lessons from my parents, and I’m grateful for everything they taught me. Now that I have become a parent myself, it is the same discipline I teach my 2 sons. However, it is more difficult and frustrating now because kids nowadays are really different. They think they know better than us, they are too smart, opinionated and entitled. But as a parent, I will never get tired of teaching, disciplining, and guiding my son to be a better person. A God-fearing person!
As it is written in Verse 11, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant”. Yes indeed! We all have experienced such. We’ve gone through trials, hardships, corrections, pain, suffering, and the list goes on. But the verse teaches us to endure and carry on. It is actually awful, uncomfortable, and unpleasant at most times, but it is not a punishment, but training. When we set our mind and will to it, we will reap the fruit later on. We can build a strong foundation, sets of values and skills to carry on life.
In the same manner, our Heavenly Father disciplines us, trains us so we can be righteous before Him. He is shaping us to be like His own son Jesus Christ. While I was studying the verse, I came across this statement… “God uses the challenges, conflicts, and pruning seasons of life to strip away unhealthy habits and mature believers into the likeness of Jesus Christ”. AMEN!!! I totally agree with it!
Same goes to our Pastors, they would always correct, discipline, rebuke, equip and guide us in our spiritual journey to Christ. They function as our spiritual parent/mentor so we can be guided in our walk with Christ. They would often check on us, message or call us. But they are not being nosy but wanting to know how we are. Sometimes, they would become “Banal na Marites” to find out what’s going on with us so they can know what to pray and how to guide us.
Remember, discipline is not a punishment, but training. Discipline is coupled with love and care, while punishment should only come from our God Almighty! Training teaches us how to control our emotions, actions, and words. Training is genuinely difficult and uncomfortable when you are going through them. But it builds you and strengthens you. In doing so, we should set our mind to “The Harvest” which is the “fruit of righteousness”. When we are trained to endure with a will to obey, to learn, to yield, and to grow, our life will surely be aligned with God's will ("righteousness").
Prayer:
Lord, I pray to you today that you give us strength to endure all the hardships in life. To be disciplined in all our ways, to practice the fruit of righteousness that we we’re trained for. Especially at these trying times here in Riyadh. That each day we face the uncertainties of life, we battle for our safety, for our jobs, amidst the conflicts of all nations. I pray that the Holy Spirit be with us while we combat each day to carry on with our lives as we go for work and come home safely. Lord, we come to you for shelter, cover us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ that we may show love and compassion to every soul we encounter in this nation. Continue to train us with your righteousness so we may obey what pleases you. All these I pray in Jesus’ mighty name, AMEN!
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ELDER JOEL - JCRC RIYADH
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