God’s correction is our hope for a better life.

School of Hard Knocks

No chastening seems to be joyful for the present ....; nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. — Hebrews 12:11

Of all my childhood memories, one stands out above the others. While I have no idea what my teacher said, I clearly remember telling her to "shut up." She sent me home, so I got up and left my kindergarten class to walk the half-block home. Walking down the sidewalk, I saw my mother weeding in the garden behind our house. I was now faced with a strategic decision — continue on my way and tell my mother why I was home early from school, or turn around and go back to face my teacher.

When I returned to the classroom, I was immediately escorted to the restroom where my teacher washed my mouth out with soap. That kind of discipline probably wouldn't happen today, but take it from me, it was effective! To this day I am acutely sensitive about the impact of my words.

God is passionately interested in our positive growth as His children. At times He needs to confront us with unpleasant circumstances to catch our attention and reorient our lives to more consistently produce the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Heb. 12:11).

Don't resist God's corrective hand. Respond to His reproofs with thankfulness that He loves you enough to care about what kind of a person you are becoming. — Joe Stowell

Because our Father's heart is grieved
Each time we go astray,
He lifts His chastening hand in love
To help us to His way. — D. De Haan

God's correction is our hope for a better life.