Monday, August 20, 2012

Has God Put You In "Time Out" ?

"My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either.  It's the child He loves that He disciplines; the child He embraces, He also corrects."   (Hebrews 12:5  MSG)



The point of discipline is to redirect or correct behavior that is inappropriate or unacceptable.

I know we’ve all been there.  God has just pricked our hearts via the Holy Spirit right after we let loose a barrage of hurtful words towards our spouse.  Or perhaps it was the uneasy feeling we had when we realized just how ungrateful we were acting after they had done something nice for us. 

How is it we usually know when we’ve just been disciplined by our Heavenly Father?

In the devotional “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers, this passage speaks to that very point:    Never quench the Spirit, and do not despise Him when He says to you – “Don’t be blind on this point anymore; you are not where you thought you were.”  …We get into sulks with God and say – “Oh, well, I can’t help it; I did pray and things did not turn out right…”

Are you giving the Holy Spirit opportunity to work on your attitude?  Do you allow the Word of God to penetrate and stir your thoughts?  Have godly friends approached you with concerns over your blatant petty actions?

The Apostle Paul struggled with things that we all deal with.  He knew God’s commands were necessary to help point us in the right direction.  However, he also knew that his flesh – his human nature – was at times getting the best of him.  Here’s how he frames the issue in Romans 7:18-23 – (The Message)

     For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

     It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.


So what do you do when you first feel the pangs of conviction start to stir?

First of all, quit making excuses and own your sin.  Don’t be stiff-necked and un-pliable.  Let God chasten you for the purpose of spiritual maturing.  Embrace His gentle and loving rebuke.  In the end, it will “yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

Tender your heart… Still your mind… Open your ears…

Next time you’ve found yourself at odds with your mate over a matter that seems trivial, use discernment and wisdom that only God can give. The last thing you want to face is your Heavenly Father putting you in a well-deserved “time out”.







Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit



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