Discipline Those You Love

A friend posted the following quote on Facebook: 
Parents, they're strict on you when you're little, and you don't understand why. But as you get older, you understand and you appreciate it. -Grant Hill

It was interesting because I was working on a "discipline" post at the time and had looked up several scriptures about discipline.  When you read through these scriptures below, it is easy to see that God disciplines His children and He expects His children to discipline their OWN children. 

Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. Deuteronomy 8:5

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3:11-12

He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Proverbs 10:17  

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 12:1

I mentioned recently that our daughter got a cell phone.  I teased her at the time and told her that I was glad she was getting a cell phone because it was something we could take away from her as punishment.  She said, "That's mean mom" - in a teasing way. Before the cell phone, there really wasn't anything to take away.  She doesn't watch much TV - doesn't have the time.  She doesn't have friends over too often - also because of being so busy with extra-curricular school activities.  There just wasn't any creative way to discipline her until the cell phone came into the picture.

Well, the other day, Lauren's attitude towards me caused her to get her cell phone taken away.  I first talked to my husband about it, but we agreed that she would give it up for two days.  I asked her to give me her phone and she asked why.  I told her that it was because of her attitude a little while before. She gave me her phone. This afternoon the punishment time was over and I gave her back her phone.  She was glad to get it back, especially since she was leaving soon  for a school event. (Actually, we were glad, too!) 

Sometimes it is hard to discipline.  Discipline causes the routine of life to be changed in some way, and because of that, it may make parents less willing to follow through with the punishment.  But, just as Our Heavenly Father disciplines those who are His children, we MUST discipline our children.  God expects us to do that because it's our job!

Discipline shows your children that you love them.  Why?  Because when you set boundaries, you are showing that you are protecing them.  When you have rules, you are teaching them that you care about them and how they behave.  Protection and care to a child translates into love to them....maybe not at that time, but later on - just like the quote above points out.

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"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 punishes everyone he accepts as a son."Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.

For what son is not disciplined by his father?

Hebrews 12:5-7

Don't be afraid to discipline those you love and who are in your care.  God will bless you for it.

Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul

Proverbs 29:17