Christian Living

THE JOY OF DISCIPLINE

by Barbara Thompson Young
02/10/10
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When we hear the word, discipline, we may be tempted to think: restriction, rules, and regulations. It doesn't sound like much fun, does it? Yet those who have learned true discipline are those who know true joy. Have you ever invited a family into your home, whose child does not know discipline? We have names for such a child, like, "Little Terror", "Monster", and "Spoiled Brat", among others. Why do we brand them as such? Because the parent has allowed them full reign of their home, and has not taught them how to control their little "monster" urges. They have not been taught discipline and they are miserable: nothing satisfies them. We do not welcome the sight of such children at our door, now do we? We do not want them in our homes, and they are dreaded visitors at restaurants, grocery stores, and gift shops. Such a child does not know the words,"wait" and "No", for they have not been taught discipline (Proverbs 29:15), and until the parent uses his God-given parental authority, this child will continue to bring embarrassment to the family. Our heavenly Father never leaves us on our own. He is always ready to teach his children how to wait, how to behave, and how to respond to life. He has given us a free will. We can choose to accept his training, or we can be like the "Little Terror" I've mentioned---living undisciplined, fearful, discontented, struggling lives. When we do not allow our Father to train us through discipline, we are like immature children--ones that others dread to see coming. Our lives are out of control and we are like a bull in a China Shop: We leave chaos wherever we go. An undisciplined child of God is immature in the ways of the Spirit; but the Word of God admonishes us to grow up in Him and allow the Father to discipline as he chooses. Getting everything you ask for, doing whatever your soul desires, going where ever your senses lead, may have an appearance of freedom and happiness, but true freedom and true joy are only attainable to the one who submits to training by the Father, through discipline. Hebrews 12:11 says, "For a moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later, it will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Barbara Thompson Young February 10, 2010