Discipline from God - Am I Being Punished?

I was just reading the Bible today and got to thinking about Hebrews 12:5-6. It says,

5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."

Often we think of discipline as a spanking or a harsh word. Is this what God does to rebuke us? When praying for clarity on this, I felt God explaining that discipline is actually His way of guiding, directing, and protecting. Then I saw a vision of a young child about to touch a hot stove. What does a loving parent do in this instance? He/she corrects the child by: explaining why it is unsafe to touch the stove, guides the child about how to handle hot things, and, thereby, protects the child from getting hurt.

This is why God provides us with commandments and guidelines for so many issues we face today. It is not with a hateful, punishing hand that He does this. Rather, it is because He loves His precious children so much He wants us to be deeply blessed and to walk in righteousness. 

Is God Disappointed in You? Is God Punishing You?

I became a Christian as a teenager and grew up knowing Jesus loved me because "the Bible told me so." But, I didn't really think He could love me?  I mean, look at the sins I had committed. I knew that I was forgiven, but really didn't I deserve to be punished? 

Certainly I deserved to have daily migraines because I had really let God down. He was really disappointed in me, right??

It was not until last year, when I was told a life changing message --

GOD HAS NEVER HAD A BAD THOUGHT ABOUT YOU!

I mean, meditate on that statement. All the times you have put yourself down for not meeting man's standards about reading the Bible for such and such amount of time daily or whether or not you prayed hard enough for the people on your prayer list, etc. All of those times I thought God was disappointed in my lack of christianity. 

Just because you have bad thoughts about you or the devil puts negative ideas into your head about who you are, this is NOT what God is thinking about you. 

What does God think about you? Have you asked Him? Why not spend some time alone with God (I like being outside if I can be) and just ask him "What do you want to tell me about me, God?" Then, sit and wait - be still and silent before God. He will give you a word, phrase, vision, or dream. 

Also, look at the word of God. Did you know that He loves you with an everlasting love? ()Jeremiah 31:3). Think about that His love for your is unending. Now, begin to agree with that idea simply by saying it aloud and saying something like, "I agree with how God loves me with an everlasting love."

When a negative thought about yourself suddenly pops up into your head, stop and say, "Thought you leave in the name of Jesus. You are not true. You are not real. God has never had a bad thought about me. I agree with how He loves me forever."

Begin to walk in freedom and remember what God really thinks about you - agree with Him and find true joy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230