For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives. —Hebrews 12:6
God is good. All the time God is good. Which means that even when God is disciplining us, He is good. After all, parents don’t pause their love when they discipline their children for wrongdoing. They don’t put affection aside until the child responds favorably. They love before, during, and after. Again and again.
God is a good Father. Love is His way, not His reward. He is never impatient, unkind, or unloving—even when He must discipline us. When God’s discipline comes into our lives as children of God, it is not punitive. He does not intend to destroy us. His goal for chastening is to restore us and make us more holy.
The Lord’s intent is always that we would return to the joy of experiencing His intimacy and blessing. He delights in those He has redeemed; keeping us at a distance would bring Him no glory. So God’s discipline, though unpleasant, repairs what we’ve broken and renews what we’ve wasted.
Make it Personal
When the Father disciplines you, respond with submission to His correction and gratitude for His care.