4 Blessings of a Disciplined Faith
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We all have been there. Every January, we have the best intentions and make a list of exciting New Year’s goals or resolutions that we want to accomplish. Eat healthier, exercise more, devote more time to God’s word – these are just a few familiar goals that many have. Mid-way through January, often times, our best intentions fall flat, and we resolve to start again next month or year.
We can have faith and focus, but discipline is the essential ingredient that we need to stay consistent in moving forward. Why is discipline so difficult to maintain at times? Discipline requires us to minimize external distractions and have laser focus which is challenging with life’s demands. It takes training and a desire to want to grow.
What does the Bible say about discipline? While difficult, God desires for us to spiritually mature through exercising discipline and continuing to grow in being more like Him. Below are 4 amazing benefits of receiving God’s discipline.
1. God’s Discipline Produces Greater Peace and Righteousness
Hebrews 12:11 states, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
As we develop greater discipline and instruction to accomplish the goals that God has purposed for us, we will have more peace. Discipline is painful in the moment because it requires a greater level of obedience, correction, and surrender to God’s will. The good news is that God’s discipline is motivated by God’s amazing love for us. Like a toddler who cries when he doesn’t get his way, we too can resist God’s word that guides us to turn away from our sinful ways. If we want to grow stronger in Christ and live more peaceful lives, we must continue to surrender our cares and anxieties that weigh us down.
Praying and applying God’s word takes consistent effort, but yields the fruit of peace in our spirits. If we continue to operate within our own strength and not depend more on God, worry and anxiety will persist. Similar to a loving parent who gives discipline in order for his or her child to learn from their mistakes, God’s ultimate goal is for us to grow and draw closer to God, and away from sinful nature.
2. God’s Discipline Produces Healing
Job 5:17-18 states, “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal.”
God’s discipline exposes our sin and flaws not to condemn us, but to set us free and provide transformative healing. (Refer to Romans 8:1). Due to God’s great love for us, God doesn’t leave us with an open wound without a plan to mend us back together. That is good news! In order for us to view God’s discipline or instruction as a tool for healing, we must ask for guidance on how to let go of control.
As humans, we often want to run and hide from the messy parts of ourselves. Instead of rebelling against God’s discipline, we have an invitation to be healed by God’s forgiveness and redemptive grace. I invite you to receive God’s healing and freedom through the love of Jesus Christ. God’s word instructs us and gives us guidance on how to be healed from our daily sins, and grow each day in righteousness. God disciplines us because God doesn’t want us to remain stuck but move forward in healing.
3. God’s Discipline Strengthens Our Desire to Grow and Learn
Proverbs 12:1 states, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
While the instruction and discipline of God’s word and wisdom isn’t always pleasant to hear, we are strengthened by our desire to change and grow. God’s ultimate goal is for us to be transformed by the knowledge of God’s word, and moved to change. As we grow and learn from God’s word and experience Christ’s love, we will realize that God doesn’t want to harm us, but to strengthen us.
Each day, we have an opportunity to apply God’s word to our lives with boldness, consistency, and zeal. In my personal experience, when I try to do things within my own strength or want to disregard God’s word, I feel frustrated and defeated. However, when I make the decision to apply my knowledge of God’s word to my life, I am more at peace and receptive to the lessons that God wants to teach me. Growth happens when we decide that we don’t have all the answers and we willingly surrender to the loving instruction of our Heavenly Father.
4. God’s Discipline Empowers Us to Practice Self-Control
2 Timothy 1:7 states, “For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
God empowers us to practice self-control in areas that are not pleasing to Him. With God’s word and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can exercise more self-discipline to grow each day. In areas where we are struggling, we can lean on God for support, direction, and strength. Practicing more self-control or discipline is not designed to serve as harsh punishment, but loving instruction and correction.
In addition to loving instruction, God’s discipline is a vehicle for growth and transformation. When we want to live a life that is pleasing to God, there is an overwhelming desire to want to know and apply more of God’s word, and strengthen our relationship with Him.
Today, I invite you to receive the discipline, instruction, and guidance of God’s word as motivation for your spiritual growth and maturity. God’s love for us is what motivates God’s discipline. While it doesn’t feel pleasant all the time, God’s ultimate desire is for us to have peace, heal, grow, learn and empower us to live more righteous lives. If you are struggling to receive God’s discipline as a positive or affirming thing, I invite you to share your concerns in prayer to God, and allow the Holy Spirit to give you guidance. God loves you with an unconditional love and uses discipline as a way for you to grow closer to Him.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White
