“And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as children? It says, ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child.'" Hebrews 12:5–6 (tniv)
If you never disciplined your child, he would be a spoiled rotten brat. He’d be destructive, whiney and all-around selfish. Your discipline teaches him consideration and kindness, and makes him into a better person.
It’s the same way with us and Jesus. He needs to discipline us to help us become better people. Sometimes it’s a word from someone to tell us when we’ve done something wrong. Sometimes it’s a conviction by the Holy Spirit when we’re reading the Bible or sitting in church. It’s not pleasant, but it molds us into people Jesus can use.
I think that’s why He talks about us taking His yoke upon ourselves. Being yoked to Jesus teaches us when we’re going too fast or too slow, or when we’re heading in the wrong direction. He’s disciplining us so that we learn how to work with Him, yet at the same time, He’s sharing the load because the yoke is on Him too.
So rather than complaining about our discipline or our hardships, why not try thanking Jesus for them? They’re molding us into better children of God, and Jesus is bearing His share of our load too.
FAITH STEP: Write down all the hardships you’re going through right now. Then go down the list and thank Jesus for each one. Open your heart to what Jesus might be saying to you about these things.
Written by Camy Tang
