Hebrews 12:6 Amplified

“For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].”

Growing up in church, I thought God was a judgmental God. It wasn’t anything I saw in His word or that I experienced from Him but He was portrayed by preachers as this looming God that was watching our every move and we were going to hell if we messed up.

It wasn’t until I read the scriptures for myself as a teen that I learned God was a God of love. A part of loving a child is disciplining the child to keep them safe, to keep them on the right track. No one likes to be disciplined, but to know the fullness of God’s love, we accept it.

We know that we don’t have everything figured out and we know we are not always right about everything. So, as children, when God says that He love us it means that He will have to discipline us from time to time. It shows us that He cares, it shows us that He is watching us always, and it shows us that God wants us to live differently from other people that do not know Him intimately. Discipline seems grievous at the time of discipline, but we know we are loved, and He cares deeply.

Prayer:

Father, I’m not perfect, just forgiven. I know I faulter and I miss the mark from time to time. I hate that I fail You, I hate that I may disappoint You, but I always know You deeply love for me!