It's Time to do Things Differently

Recently, I had an encounter with God that brought about serious change in my life.  With one sentence from God, my world went from being off track to being back on track.  Let me explain.

For the last couple of months I have been struggling in a particular area of my life.  And instead of letting God handle it, I got in there and tried to make things happen on my own.  Needless to say this created a lot of frustration.  As I complained to God about this situation and how it was affecting me, He showed me that I was causing the problem by being in His way.

Correction from God (or anyone) was not always easy for me to take.  I grew up thinking that correction meant rejection and it was always followed by name calling and put downs.  But God (I love saying that!) taught me many years ago that He only corrects those He loves.  And His correction means it's time to do things differently without being condemning or critical.

            And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 

               Hebrews 12:5-7 NKJV

God only corrects His children.  Those who don't know Him or care what He thinks are not corrected by Him.  Those who belong to God are disciplined by Him out of love and genuine concern for their well being.

Being corrected by God is a GOOD thing!  

No one is more acutely aware of your shortcomings and failures than yourself and God.  He is the only other one who knows the shame that chases you.  He brings correction to free us from the prison of guilt and condemnation.  

EVERYTHING God does is for our benefit!  This includes helping us to get back on the right track.

               But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 

                              Hebrews 12:8-9 NKJV

We ALL make mistakes.  We sin.  We disobey God, act selfishly, and mistreat others.  All of God's children are corrected and disciplined.  As members of His family, He watches over us and He tries to stop us when we start straying from His path.

We are called to live under God's authority.  That's what it means to make Jesus the Lord of your life.  It means you are choosing to live by His rules and not your own.  It means you stop seeking the approval of people and choose instead to seek God's approval.

The Lord holds our spirits and our lives in His hands.  He is the One who gives us life.  He is also the one who can take it away.  We should be more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing people.

               For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 

                              Hebrews 12:10-12 NKJV

As parents we do what we think is best for our children.  We correct and teach them according to what WE THINK.  God, however, is a much better parent than any of us will ever be.  He will chastise us according to what HE KNOWS IS BEST FOR US.  

The goal of God's chastening is make us more like Him.  He wants us to grow in holiness and become mature in our faith.  

Being corrected is never painless but God's chastisement will always produce a harvest of righteousness in our lives.  It's not fun to go through it but on the back side, we are grateful that He didn't leave us to our faulty ways.

Righteousness and peace will always follow being disciplined by God.

We should not fear being disciplined by God.  He will not hold grudges or throw it back up in our face.  When we are wrong, all we have to do is apologize and do what we can to not let it happen again.  

Remember, there is now therefore, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Is there an area of your life that God is dealing with you about?  Don't run from Him - run to Him.  He will help you make the necessary changes so you can do things differently from now on.

If you would like the complete list of verses used to write this article, let me know in the comment section and I will get it to you.

Heidirn