God promises discipline as a means to train us in how to obey Him and strengthen us for our role in His Kingdom. Discipline is the process of bringing things into our lives that stress our mind, body and spirit so that we grow stronger and can endure greater responsibilities as a part of His family.
Hebrews 12:6-11 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Our natural appetites are to seek comfort first and avoid things that may bring us stress and discomfort, and thereby may be avoiding responding in obedience to God. Read The Discipline of Discipleship is a great article on this from V. Raymond Edman’s book, The Disciplines of Life.
Areas that are common for us to avoid include;
John the Baptist is a great example of someone who chose discipline to be more effective in finding and fulfilling his calling.
- John was born in a wealthy prominent family of Priests in Jerusalem, tbe political and societal center of Israel and Jewish life.
- John embraced and learned the scriptures, and pursued his calling to announce the Messiah was coming soon and the need for all to repent from their selfish ways and live in obedience to God. He found that by living minimally off the land and teaching in the wilderness he was able disciple those seeking God.