Maybe this is because I am going through physical therapy, right now, to get my new knee to work correctly. I have to bend and straighten my leg enough to cause some discomfort and pain. But if I don't, the knee will not work correctly as time goes by. I need to get the muscle memory in place to make these things become second nature. Just like the original knee. I have to admit that this is not fun. I have to admit that I would rather not have to be in the middle of this but I know it has to be done. So does the physical therapist who is the one that is insisting that I do the exercises. Just like "good parents" know that the "privilege of discipline" needs to be taught to their children.
Let me get on my soapbox for just a moment, please....
In the society we live in, right now, a lot of our young adults do not understand the meaning of the phrase "privilege of discipline". Some how in this time in society discipline became wrong. To certain people discipline means abuse to our children. It means that they can't have everything, they want, so it has to be wrong.
I truly believe that part of the reason there is so much violence in the world today is because of this movement. Because so many think that the work that it takes to actually better their world is not something they should have to do. It should be just handed to them because that is the way they were raised it should be. The world, to them, is all "about me". The respect for their parents and others is not something that is part of their thought processes.
God knew and still knows that this does not do us, or our children any favors. So many scriptures speak of this but I love how the verses in Hebrews tell of this......
Hebrews 12:4
4-11 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?
My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,
but don’t be crushed by it either.
It’s the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
but don’t be crushed by it either.
It’s the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
Of course we should not let discipline become abuse. That is a sin in itself. But to not teach the values of what it means to be disciplined does not do any of us any favors. It does not do our world any good. It leaves our children spoiled, confused and sometimes just plain angry. You can watch the nightly news and see this for yourself.
So yes, as I said at the beginning of this the blog, discipline is not always fun but for the peace of this world, our families, and ourselves it has to be done!!!
Maybe God knows what He is doing with the plans He put into place for us, as His children, and for us, as parents of His children. Maybe the "privilege of discipline" is not such a scary phrase after all.
Blessings!!!
So well written. Discipline can reap many rewards and fine tuned talents.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Rewards and talents!
ReplyDelete