Punishment or Discipline?

Because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.

Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

The first year of her conversion was an enriching period, marked by spiritual experiences for Annie, who had left everything behind to follow the Lord. She never tired of speaking about her encounter with the Lord. It seemed as though the experience she had lived through that day had erased every memory of her past from her mind, replacing them with new ones. Her face radiated joy whenever she spoke of God. She took pleasure in encouraging young people to consecrate themselves to God and to take their relationship with Him seriously. She embodied the model Christian within her church.

Yet, as time went on, she lost her motivation; her zeal for the things of God became nothing more than a distant memory. Due to a lack of faith and interest in God, circumstances led her back to her old habits; she began to believe that she was the queen of the world—and no one dared to remind her of who she truly was in Jesus. From that moment on, a series of trials began to unfold in her life. She lost her mother—the spark that ignited her spirit. Her husband decided to leave the marital home. Then, she lost her job. It was as if someone else were orchestrating everything that ensued.

One day, realizing that she had lost control of everything—including the decisions regarding her own life—Annie turned to her pastor to ask for help. Although she expected her pastor to reject her, he simply said to her: "When we drift away from God, He always uses instruments that frighten us to lead us to seek refuge in Him." We all eventually find ourselves asking why God is punishing us, when in reality, He never is. It is because He sees us crossing a boundary that we should not cross; He therefore calls us back to order. God's discipline is not intended to punish you, but to transform you.

May God's grace and peace be with you.