Heb 12:5-11   “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;  6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”  7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?   

Until I became a parent, I just could not understand the phrase, “This is going to hurt me more than You!”  I would hear my parents tell me this same line each time I was getting a wiping. At times I heard it more frequently than at other times. I guess maybe it was a seasonal thing. It was seasons of rebellion and seasons of obedience.

What was it all about? Could my parents really feel anything? Was it painful to swing the paddle?  I don’t think so! Did they just choose to say it so it would keep them from feeling guilty? Then what was it supposed to mean?

Well, now that I have become a parent it’s starting to make a little bit of sense. Even though my children are pretty spectacular they aren’t perfect. Therefore, there are times that they need a little correction or chastisement. And when that time comes I have to be truthful. It really does hurt me to do it. It would be much easier to just let things slide by without correction than it would be to reprimand them. There has been times that after I brought correction and chastisement that I was hurting all evening. It breaks a father’s heart to see his children hurt, even if they deserve it.  So now after all those confusing times of hearing those words time after time, I can honestly say I get it now! “It’s going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you.” It’s because of the love that parents have for their children that make them say those strange words.

The scriptures reveal in Heb. 12:5 – 11 that if we are not being chastised by God then we are not His children. If we are not His children then we are in a heap more trouble than just a little correction.

Therefore I think we should look at God’s correction as an incredible compliment from heaven. It confirms that we truly are His children.  And if we are children then we are heirs to the King. So we should say, Lord please continue to correct and chastise me when I am in need.

Our God is a just and loving God. He is always fair when He moves in our lives. Because He loves us!  In His chastisement towards us we can rest in knowing He loves us and wants the best for us!