‘And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?‘
Hebrews 12:5-9 NIV

I love that Paul says the Lord encourages us. And in this encouragement, the author writes that we are loved by a God who not only accepts us as His own children, but teaches us.

This in itself is encouraging: God cares so much to put in intentional time into helping us grow and to discipline us.

With His love comes His discipline. And that discipline is just as important and valuable as His love.

While being taught new things might not seem like a blessing or encouragement, it really is—the discipline of the Lord (who knows what’s best for us) is the best wisdom, teaching, and guidance you will ever gain.

‘And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’
John 14:13 NIV

We can read in the Bible that when we ask for wisdom or discernment, the Lord will give it to us. King Solomon was given the chance to ask the Lord for anything—and he asked for wisdom. God gave it to him and Scripture says that He was pleased that Solomon asked for that.

The Lord does not want to keep goodness from you—and the same goes for wisdom and teaching. But we also need to be receptive to teaching, not prideful.

So as we go into this week, I encourage you all to think about the ways that the Lord has guided you and taught you—and look at every opportunity as a chance to learn from Him.

Thanks for reading, have a great day!
~Willow