Do you remember when you did something you knew you were not supposed to do, and how much you loved being punished for it afterwards? As a child, didn't you welcome those spankings with either your dad's thick belt or calloused hand? After lying to your mom, forgetting to do a specific chore, or using that sarcastic wit, did you embrace being grounded - no phone, friends, or contact with the outside world for what seemed like an eternity? Of course not. Punishment is obviously not designed to be enjoyable. As children, punishment only made us scream and cry because either the spanking hurt or we had our favorite toy taken away. As teenagers, punishment made us angry and often resulted in a life-lesson lecture and a slammed door. As young twenty-somethings, our parents still have authority but they face less certainty because they know that they may not be able to punish their children. So are we free of discipline? Free from consequence for decisions we make and actions we've taken part in? Can I get an amen?

Probably not. The world and biblical law still provide consequences for wrong-doings. But discipline is more than just punishment. As children of this fallen world, we are entrusted to our parents or guardians' care by the Lord to be raised up in a way that would glorify Him. We were punished for our wrong-doings and immature decisions, and though we promised to get payback for the punishment, our attitudes towards discipline evolved as we grew up. As growing Christians, we know that our Heavenly Father also disciplines us - like our parents - out of love. I used to roll my eyes at the phrase "this hurts me more than you," or "I'm doing this because I love you." It was like a cruel joke or final nail in the coffin of confusion and anger. What about when God, the King of Kings, disciplines me? Do I roll my eyes? No, but in my heart, I sometimes turn bitter.

I'm not talking about discipline for my actions or words (though there are consequences for those as well!); I'm really talking about the discipline that shapes my choices and my path. You see, I've learned that discipline doesn't always come right after we've done something wrong; sometimes it comes as we are in the moment of choice. It comes in the form of overwhelming (sometimes seemingly overbearing) love from Jesus. It comes in the form of our Heavenly Father knowing what we want and when we want it, and disciplining us to wait or to accept the hardest "no." I can shake my fist, cry in the dark, run as hard as I can from the answer I don't want to hear, but my Jesus remains unchanging, unchallenged, and unsurprised by my reaction. He will still do what is best for His child because He delights in making our paths straight and giving us gifts. Is it okay to be upset? Absolutely. Is it okay to ask God "Why?" Yes. Do I have to love being disciplined? If I do, I'm failing a lot these days. We don't have to love discipline, but seeing the truth of the Word reminds us that it is not done in joyful punishment, rather it is a guiding light to righteousness and Christ's glorification.

Hebrews 12:5-6 says, "...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."

Revelation 3:19 says, "Those whom I love, i reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."

Proverbs 13:24 says, "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."

Hebrews 12:11 says, "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."

Proverbs 6:23 says, "For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life."

The Lord disciplines us because He loves us and wants to give us His good gifts. Each time I am disciplined (by both my parents and the Lord), I try to remind myself of the truths found in His Word. After all, He is a good, good Father -- unchanging and the definition of love.