"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11
"I always feel good after a run, but I never feel good during a run." These were the wise words spoken by 13 year-old Caleb Miller after finishing Saturday morning's "These Colors Don't Run" color run 5k. Let's face it. This young man is right. Running really can hurt-from cramping muscles and side stitches to burning lungs and unimaginable chafing in areas we never knew existed. So why do we keep doing it? Quite simply because it feels good... afterwards that is. Once it's over, with the endorphins still coursing through our body and feeling a sense of accomplishment, and with a fresher and clearer mind, we can look back at the amazing benefits enduring the pain reaped. And we find that it's worth it.
Hebrews 12:11 shows that the same can be true of spiritual training when it says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." You see, the Father loves you and me so much that he refuses to let us stray off the right path. So when we do, he will use whatever means necessary to correct, adjust or redirect our thinking or actions. And while this is never enjoyable, it is a sign of God's deep love for his children. While the reasons when and why may vary, of this you can be sure.... God will use testing, trials, and various situations to bring us back to him in repentance. The result of God's discipline is a stronger faith and a renewed relationship with him (not to mention destroying the hold a particular sin has over us).
In the words of Billy Graham, "God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness." With that in mind, after enduring the pain of correction, you and I can look back at the amazing benefits (a harvest of righteousness and peace) God's rebuke and admonition reaped and say, "It was worth it!"
In the words of Billy Graham, "God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness." With that in mind, after enduring the pain of correction, you and I can look back at the amazing benefits (a harvest of righteousness and peace) God's rebuke and admonition reaped and say, "It was worth it!"
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would discipline us when we aren't obedient to your Word. Help us to patiently endure our due rebuke-knowing that doing so will make us stronger and rid us of those things that hinder us from being useful and blessed. May we humbly draw closer to you in these times admitting our sins and mistakes as we allow you to make us Christians that can be used. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Keep making me - Sidewalk Prophets
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| The before picture |
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| During the race |
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| The After picture |
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