Scripture: Hebrews 12:3-6 (ESV):
"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'”
Discipline gets a bad rap sometimes. We live in a world that is very, very, comfortable. We have comfy beds, comfy couches and cushy jobs. In many ways this is because of the natural progress of technology. The more advanced we have become, the more efficient our process have become, the cheaper it is to make luxurious, comfortable things. This is not a bad thing in and of itself - it is just the natural consequence of the progress of technology. But as our world has shifted into more and more comfort, we have come to believe, subconsciously at least, that discomfort is a bad thing. We have largely confused suffering and discomfort with evil. We have become convinced that suffering is bad in and of itself and so suffering should be avoided at all costs.
But the Christian cannot hold this view. You see if we believe that God has fully poured out his wrath for our sins on Jesus, and that Jesus bore the full penalty of our sin, then we cannot view suffering as inherently wicked. Because if that is true, then everything that comes our way is in fact part of God’s good plan for us. Romans 8:28 affirms this truth: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV). This is something Reformed Christians have held strongly to, and we even confess this in the Heidelberg Catechism, in Lord’s Day 10, question and answer 27:
“Q27: What do you understand by the providence of God?
A. God's providence is his almighty and ever present power,
whereby, as with his hand, he still upholds
heaven and earth and all creatures,
and so governs them that
leaf and blade,
rain and drought,
fruitful and barren years,
food and drink,
health and sickness,
riches and poverty,
indeed, all things,
come to us not by chance
but by his fatherly hand.”
That means that hardship and suffering are part of God’s fatherly care for his children. This is what the author of Hebrews reminds us of in this passage. Just as a loving father corrects his children, God disciplines us for our good. This isn’t punishment in the way we might think. It's meant to train us, to shape us into the likeness of His Son. The pain and struggle we endure aren’t signs that God has abandoned us. They are a sign that God cares about us enough to grow us through suffering.
So how then are we to deal with this suffering? The answer is in the first few verses: We are to think of Christ Jesus. He endured the cross, suffering it’s shame. The cross is our reminder that enduring hardship is part of our journey. When we suffer, we are following in Jesus’ footsteps. Yes, it is easy to grow weary and to want to give up when things are tough, but the antidote is to keep our eyes on Jesus. He endured so much more for us than we can even imagine.
So don’t mistake suffering for punishment. Don’t mistake discipline for God’s displeasure. Our discipline is a mark of our sonship or daughtership. It is proof that we belong to Jesus.
And that puts quite a different spin on things, doesn’t it?
Prayer:
Father, help me to see suffering and hardship not as a punishment, but as a sign of your love. Remind me again and again to look to Jesus who suffered so much more for my sake. Give me the grace to endure. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Today, when you encounter a difficulty or frustration, pause and thank God for his discipline. Reflect on how this challenge might be shaping you into Christ’s likeness.
Discipline is Good. Painful yes, but good.