REFLECT:
Discipline is a word that a lot of us dread hearing. So many of us have indeed had terrible experiences all in the name of being disciplined by an adult who had some form of authority over us.

They may have gone too far in their quest to put us in line or bring us up to the expectations they had carved out for us. These are painful memories we do not wish to revisit.

However, is inflicting pain the only motive for discipline? Rather inflicting pain shouldn’t even be counted as a part of the equation in the process of discipline. Yes, there may be some discomfort and distress when being disciplined, but not an injurious form of pain.

When discipline gets to the point of inflicting injury in the name of discipline, then the whole process has gone too far. At this point, there is a serious underlining issue that needs to be looked into. It is either we have allowed some evil motive to take over our good judgments such as ego, pride, hate, or unforgiveness, or all we want to do is settle a score in that regard.

On the other hand, that is the flip side of the coin, discipline is taken for granted. People in this category see the whole aspect of discipline as old school. In this case, everybody has a right to express themselves in whatever way they choose is best for them.

It is, therefore, not surprising the crop of youngsters being raised in this day and age. Where there is no self-control, selfishness and a lack of regard for the feelings and rights of others are the norms. Respect, good sense, and good judgment are thrown out of the window.

This ought not to be the case, rather the basis of discipline must be love. Why should love be the basis of discipline? This is because love balances things out. Love always gives birth to something good. Out of love comes a change of heart, purpose, and character. Love is the foundation of a transformed and reformed personality.

Employing love in disciplinary measures does not mean we should pamper and condone wicked or bad behavior, rather love should be able to reveal the consequences of bad behavior, proffer solutions to resolve bad behavior, and then present rewards for good behavior.

Based on these revelations, love then goes further to place healthy boundaries or restrictions that will prevent us from making bad choices. Love also follows through by being steadfast, not setting double standards, setting good precedence by modeling good and appropriate behavior, and also rewarding good behavior.

Above all, love never fails, it always produces its desired goal. This goal is a good, rewarding and satisfying life for all to live and benefit from.

The brief synopsis above wraps up the whole essence of our Bible verse for today in —- Romans 5:3.

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (KJV).

The following is a nutshell of what we must take away from this Bible verse:

1. God trains us to discipline us, not to punish us.
2. Such disciplinary training is to remove any form of limitations, residue, or dent that sin would have on us that may keep us from achieving God’s best for our lives.
3. This best is that we have a closer more intimate relationship with Him. Jesus said, “The evil one comes but he finds nothing in me.” John 14:13.
4. This is where God intends to get us. Where we can stand confident in Him free from every filth of the enemy.
5. Our ultimate benefit is to receive all the hope that God has promised us. A hope that does not make us ashamed

When we allow God to train us using the yardstick of His Divine Righteous Discipline, we stand to gain much more than we imagined. The promise of God’s blessed hope will never make us ashamed.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer for Praise in Hard Times

God, You are well-acquainted with my struggles, and they don’t scare or shock You. Instead, You seem to view them as opportunities for discipline to strengthen me and show off Your glory through me. So today, I choose to bring my struggles to You. I will rejoice even as I encounter hard times—because I know You are refining me and giving me the strength to endure. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.