When Our Discipline Mirrors God's Discipline

 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Hebrews 12:6

The more I understand the Lord's governing and discipline out of love for me, the more I understand how I am to govern and discipline my children. 

It amazes me how often one of my children will get hurt somehow when acting outside of obedience to me - even if it's just stubbing a toe or bumping a head. Yet, it reminds me that when I (as God's child) act outside of His will; often times, I get hurt, too.

This parallel allows me the wisdom to offer empathy with one of my children, as I have the opportunity to say, "I'm so sorry you hurt {insert body part}. Sometimes when you choose to disobey (act outside of my will), somebody gets hurt."

That consistency then can bud a correlation to the spiritual discipline of obedience to God, in its most basic form.

Another directive, that I consider when parenting, is in the acknowledgement that God owns everything. Everything I have is a gift from Him. It is up to me to be a good steward of what I have been given. He gives and He takes away!

In the same way, all that our children own is really ours - their parents. Those were given as gifts and it is up to us to teach them to be a good stewards of those gifts. We give and we can take away.

If this is the premise of our parenting, then it will be much clearer to understand God's governing and the necessity to be good stewards of all that is given them long after they answer to us.

So then, the goal of discipline is not simply obedience for the sake of obedience, but obedience for a greater purpose. Like God, we see the bigger picture and know what is best for our children. They must learn to trust that our authority is for their best interests. Our plan is not to harm them, but to help them prosper with hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11)


We discipline because we love.

When our discipline mirrors God's discipline, the intention of that discipline has one outcome: hearts that mirror Christ.

Although parenting does not come with a manual, I am so grateful for the guidance of scripture, which reveals God's character, and of the Holy Spirit - constantly counseling me, as I seek.

What correlations to scripture have you used in disciplining your children?
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For more inspiration go to Internet Cafe Devotions for Word Filled Wednesday and Katie Lloyd Photography for Scripture and a Snapshot.