One of the most profound lessons I have learned from my children is how to receive discipline, especially when it comes from someone they love and trust, rather than a harsh or unkind figure. When I first started disciplining them, I was surprised to see that instead of pulling away, they would run straight into my arms, tears still fresh in their eyes. Even now, they don’t recoil in fear or resent me for correcting them; instead, they seek comfort in me, the very one who just disciplined them.
And guess what? I usually cannot resist the urge to hug them. Sometimes, I even find myself feeling sorry for correcting them, even though I know it was the right thing to do. I don’t just hug them in that moment; I also reinforce my love by reassuring them with the words, ‘I love you. I believe it is the same with God, He does not want His discipline to be the final step; rather, He desires to forgive, restore and comfort you. Scripture says, A broken and contrite heart, God will not despise. (Psalm 51:17, 2 Samuel 24)
The Sharp Perception of a Child
I believe children understand love and discipline better than we realize. It is almost as if they grasp the depth of our intentions even more than we do. I often say that children are far more perceptive than we give them credit for. It sometimes feels like they understand us even better than we understand them. Their response reminds me of how we too should approach God’s discipline, not with resentment, but with the trust of a child who knows they are deeply loved.
In my mind, I often wondered, But I just finished scolding you, why are you not running away from me?. That is when the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see the reason. They ran to me because, over time, they had come to know me as their caregiver, the one who nurtures them and loves them deeply. The countless hugs, kisses, pecks, singing, and dancing had reinforced an unshakable belief in their hearts. This woman loves me.
So when I scold them, they come right back into my arms, as if instinctively knowing, She is only correcting me, not rejecting me. As I began to understand this, I became more intentional about disciplining from a place of love rather than anger, ensuring I did not damage that “follow come” trust they naturally have.
The True Heart Behind Discipline
Watching how my children respond to discipline has taught me a powerful lesson. God’s discipline should never push us away from Him; it should draw us closer. He does not discipline like men do, out of frustration or to inflict pain. Instead, He corrects us with a father’s love, guiding us back to the right path. His discipline is never about punishment. It is about restoration.
Discipline was never meant to stem from frustration or anger, but from a place of love, a desire to guide, correct, and protect. A parent’s role is not just to raise a child but to shape them, ensuring they grow into the best version of who God created them to be.
In the same way, it may seem as though God is more lenient with some people than others, but I have come to realize that is not the case. Rather, some of His children simply require more discipline to learn and grow. I believe God tailors His correction to each of us, not out of favoritism, but out of His perfect understanding of what we need to become who He has called us to be.
The Severity of Discipline: Love Compels Action
Sometimes, the intensity of discipline is directly tied to the danger a parent or guardian is trying to rescue a child from. For instance, if a child reaches for a bottle of water they should not be touching, you might simply say, “Do not touch that”, in a calm, gentle tone. But if you see a child about to leap off a rooftop, you are not going to whisper a soft warning. You would most likely scream and yank them back, even if it means a firm slap to jolt them into sense.
It would be both cruel and absurd for a parent to see their child teetering at the edge of a cliff and softly whisper, “Come back, Love, please step away.” No! Love compels action, sometimes urgent, firm, and intense, to protect and preserve. Scripture says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their child, but the one who loves their child is careful to discipline them.” (Proverbs 13:24)
David’s Childlike Understanding of God’s Discipline (2 Samuel 24)
I believe that David, having walked closely with God and experienced His discipline, came to understand the heart behind God’s discipline. He had learned that even when God chastises, His love remains unwavering. In fact, David recognized that it was precisely because of God’s mercy and love that He disciplines His children.
So, when confronted with three possible consequences for conducting an unauthorized census in Israel, David made a profound choice, he placed himself under God’s discipline, trusting in His mercy. He said: “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”
We Often See Discipline Coming
Many parents do not discipline their children immediately; instead, they issue repeated warnings. There are often multiple “Stop that,” “Don’t do that,” “Drop that,” and “Come here” before discipline is finally enforced. When all these warnings are ignored, correction follows.
I know this can be hard to accept, but sometimes the discipline we receive is a drastic measure to knock some sense into us. If we are being honest, God’s discipline does not come out of nowhere, we see it coming. We were warned, often more times than we care to admit. The signs were there, in dreams, books, random posts on social media, sermons in church, and even through the words of our parents, loved ones, or friends.
When all these gentle nudges fail to get our attention, discipline becomes necessary. But even in the midst of it, God preserves us, protects us, and does not allow it to destroy us. His discipline is never to break us. It is to bring us back to Him.
Today, I believe God wants you to know that His discipline is never about rejection; it is about restoration. Just as a loving parent corrects their child to guide them toward the right path, God’s discipline is an expression of His deep, unwavering love for you. If you have ever truly loved a child, you understand the depth of a parent’s love, a love so intense that it makes them fiercely protective, willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their child’s safety, well-being, and success.
When we understand His heart, we will not run from Him in times of correction but run toward Him, knowing that even His firmest discipline is for our ultimate good. So, rather than resisting His correction, let us embrace it with the trust of a child, confident that His love is always leading us back to Him.
