The Discipline of the Lord

So, I wrote this article for our church's newsletter, which will come out later this month. At Good Shepherd, we are, as a body, focusing on Hebrews 12. Some questions have come up concerning the discipline of the Lord. I wrote responses to some FAQs. I hope it is helpful (and thoughtful).
What is God’s Discipline?
Believers in Jesus Christ have all been adopted as sons and daughters of God. As a good Father, God disciplines his children. When God disciplines us, He uses challenging circumstances to refine us, so that we will be more and more like Jesus.

Is there a difference between discipline and punishment?
A coach disciplines his players by having them run laps. An officer disciplines the soldiers under his command by having them run drills. A mother disciplines her children by giving them household chores. These actions are not always punishments, but they are always discipline. In each case, discipline is being given in order to train and grow the person being disciplined.

Discipline can include punishment, but discipline does not equal punishment.

There are certainly times when we experience God’s discipline in the form of direct consequences for foolish or sinful choices. But even when this is the case, God brings this discipline to help us grow, not to crush us or to push us away from Him. And many other times God disciplines us simply because there are areas of growth that need to be addressed. As a good Father, God wants to see us grow in endurance and strength. To accomplish this, He brings challenging circumstances to give opportunity for growth.

How do I know when God is disciplining me?

Again, don’t think of discipline solely in the form of punishment. We often respond to difficulties by asking, “What have I done to deserve this suffering?” In the book of Hebrews, the writer does not tell his readers that God is disciplining them because He is upset with them for something they have done. He says that God is disciplining them so that they will be able to endure (Hebrews 12:7).

It is not true that God disciplines us only in response to a specific sin that we have committed. However, it is true that God disciplines us because we need growth in certain areas of our lives.

Whenever we experience difficulties, we can consider it God’s discipline. It may be that God is exposing our sins and failures and is allowing us to experience the consequences of those actions. It may also be that God is exposing areas of weakness and compromise and is giving us an opportunity to be strengthened through relying on Him. In either case He invites us to draw near to Him and to be strengthened by Him.

How should I respond if God is disciplining me?

Hebrews 12 calls us to respond to discipline in verses 12-13: “Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather may be healed.” In response to discipline, endure! Draw near to God. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that “we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:16 then invites us to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace and help in time of need.” Draw near to God. Trust Him. Ask Him to expose areas where you need growth. Ask Him to search you, and to bring healing and growth to your life.

Also, take note of the reminder in Hebrews 12:9: “Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?” If you are experiencing God’s discipline, don’t run from it. Accept it as the love-gift of a good Father. Some of us might pray, “God, give me strength so that I can be more disciplined.” Few of us, however, rejoice when God answers this prayer by bringing discipline.

We must experience discipline if we are going to be disciplined.

Stay under it. Endure. Thank God for caring enough to treat you as a son or daughter.

How can I get the most out of this Hebrews 12 study?

Continually ask yourself, “What areas of growth is God exposing in me right now?” Pray through those areas. Ask God for increased strength, so that you can grow in those areas of weakness. Also, pray for the entire church, including the leadership, that we all will be shaped and refined through this time, and that God will bring great transformation to us as individuals and to us as a church. Finally, pray for the team from Peacemakers as they prepare to return and to lead our body toward greater healing and growth.