My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. [Proverbs 3:11-12 (NLT)]

He is our heavenly parent and we are his children. Like all children we can be unreasonable, rebellious, and self-centered. Just as an earthly parent has to occasionally discipline the child he loves, so does our heavenly parent. God’s discipline, however, is not the same as punishment. Punishment is about making us behave by imposing a penalty, but discipline is about correcting us with love. Punishment is about the past but discipline is about the future.

Father, help me receive your discipline gratefully so that I will become the person you want me to be.