Hebrews 12:11
Hello Friend,
When the alarm clock went off this morning, my initial reaction was, “Oh, no!” I hit the snooze button several times and just procrastinated getting out of bed. Last night I stayed up too late and did not discipline myself to go to bed at a reasonable time. Therefore, this morning, I am suffering—and whining.
Hebrews, chapter 12 tells us that God disciplines his sons (us). He “disciplines us for our own good, that we may share in his holiness.” God says that later we will reap a harvest of fruit—the fruit being peace, joy, love, faithfulness, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. I want all those wonderful qualities in my life; I just don’t like the discipline it requires to get them. Come on now, you know you feel the same way.
God knows that we won’t like his discipline, but listen to His words in verse 12: “So then, brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakened and drooping hands and strengthen your feeble and tottering knees.” God says, “Quit your whining!” Stand p straight! Buck up! God is a demanding coach who requires our lives to be disciplined. We can react in several ways. We can whine. We can be angry and resentful. Or, we can accept God’s discipline gracefully as we would from a loving Father. How has God disciplined you in the past? Did this discipline lead to peace and joy? What do you need to discipline—your mouth, your emotions, your diet, your schedule? You can do it. So stop whining, set your mind, and affirm, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” No discipline is pleasant, but God promises to reward our efforts.
Affirmation: I trust myself to make appropriate decisions.
Learning self-control, Linda