Throughout my life I have not been good at receiving discipline. When those in authority find it necessary to discuss my shortcomings, I immediately put up a wall. Oh I listen respectfully, but my heart and mind are raising all kinds of excuses. After a period of calming down, I can usually see the merits of their discussion. Often I am even grateful for what they had to say as I understand how the discipline can help me to be better.
It is sad that many times today people mount a full scale counterattack when properly disciplined rather than attempting to learn from it. With social media, these counterattacks do a lot of damage.
Sometimes God finds it necessary to discipline us. He loves us and wants us to become more Christ-like, so when he sees our destructive behavior, he tenderly but firmly leads us back to righteousness. Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son,do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'”
So just as parents discipline their children because they love them, so our heavenly Father disciplines His children out of His great love for us. We need to recognize this and try to learn from it.
Reluctant Retiree 