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Reflections: Daily Devotions in Disability Ministry

God's Discipline

August 20, 2010

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (NIV)

We have all wondered “why” God let something bad happen to us. Was God punishing us for something we did wrong? Was God angry? Or what?

Sometimes we do something bad, and we hurt ourselves. For instance, we may eat too many pieces of candy, and a little later we do not feel well. Or, we may not get up on time, and we make ourselves and everyone at home late for work or class or church.

Other times, we don’t know why something happened. There may be illness, an accident or a bad storm. In those times, God can be disciplining us. He may allow something to happen in order to teach us something. We may be sick so we learn how to be patient with others. Then we can see how patiently others treat us.

Maybe God wants us to trust in Him better than we do, so we end up in a problem where God is the only way to solve it. Maybe we are saying hurtful things, and God allows us to hear hurtful things about us. Then we know how it feels.

In all those examples, bad things are not happening because God is angry with us or punishing us. We also know He is right beside us when things go wrong. So, we shouldn’t be crabby and angry with God when things go wrong. Instead, we can thank God. We can thank Him for loving us. In love, He is making us better people, who trust Him more, and are more patient and kind to others.

After all, God wants all of us to be with Him in heaven forever. We can thank Him for loving us enough to make us His eternal children.

Thank You, heavenly Father, that You always care about us and love us. Do what You have to do to make us Your loving, caring, redeemed children. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Norma D. Neuhart, Chaplaincy Representative – WI
http://bethesdalutherancommunities.org/resources/spiritualResources/pmc.asp

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