Embrace Discipline!

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose]. HEBREWS 12:11 AMP

First of all, let it be established that God didn't call anyone to a life of earthly comfort. This has been emphasized in previous posts, and if what you have received indicates otherwise, please check again. Discipline is also a word that has been misinterpreted several times, but it has to be mentioned here that in this context, one of the best ways of explaining it is by: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV. Every activity mentioned here is a part of God's disciplinary process. Where he needs to give doctrine, he opens my eyes to what he wants me to know and hold on to as truth. When he wants to reproof or correct, he sends his Word to me as a caution/warning/directive. When he wants something peculiar done, he gives instructions on what he wants done and how he wants it done. I do not know of a better definition of discipline more than this. The end of discipline is discipleship, where a person becomes like the leader, has learnt patiently under the leader and can be trusted by the leader to speak his mind. Can I be described as such?

The process is painful, long and hard. No wonder God warns of the narrow way, the hard way. It is a straight path, one that is very unpopular. Sometimes, it would appear God is repeating lessons over and over again, and one is caught in one spot. Sometimes, it would appear God is punishing one for something very unclear, but this is an assurance I have: the end of all these is always right. The only one whose opinion matters is God. Man has his standards of measuring success and impact; unfortunately, God's standards are a lot different.

When God deals with a man, the end is always a product approved by God, and can be used for mighty works. When a man is aligned with God, there is no end to what God can use that life for. Am I truly surrendered to God or am I still holding on to my own ways? Can God entrust assignments into my hands? His time of favour is here.