Daily Devotionals
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 (Aminta)
Yesterday was a big day at our house… our son, Zeke, got braces.
He didn’t love it.
His teeth are so sore and his mouth feels uncomfortable. Before the braces went on, he had to get two teeth pulled and then have spacers and an expander placed.
It was a lot of correction for one little mouth.
He kept saying, “Why do I have to do all this? It’s not fair. It hurts.” To which I would reply, “Because your teeth need it to function better and it will help you have a lovely smile too.”
The thing is, Zeke’s mouth is narrow and not all his teeth fit. As a result, his pearly whites are coming in crooked and sideways. If we don’t do something, there will be a huge mess ahead for him. All the metal we are putting in his mouth will help make sure he has a great smile someday. But for now, he is pretty miserable: he can’t eat what he used to, he can’t brush how he used to, he can’t talk how he used to. It’s a growing season for sure.
It got me thinking…
When God disciplines us, it feels a lot like Zeke’s braces. It hurts, is uncomfortable, and forces us to change behavioral patterns. At the time, it’s not fun at all. It feels unfair and painful.
But God, in his infinite wisdom and love, sees the areas of our life that are not going in the right direction and he loves us enough to help change our course… even if we are resistant to it. He does it so that in the future, we will be on the right path that leads to glory. In other words, our smile will be bright and shiny.
His discipline is always, always for our benefit. And while it’s often painful, his hand of guidance helps us to become more like Christ and to be prepared and equipped to do the good works he has planned for us to do. His correction is purposeful and intentional.
God’s discipline is always carried out in such a way that it can draw us closer to him and his character, as it cuts away the parts of us that aren’t producing his goodness.
John 15:1-3 says it this way:
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.”
Pruning.
Discipline.
Braces.
Not fun, but necessary and beneficial.
The reality is that we all need braces, so to speak. I am the first to admit that the Lord has lots of work to do in my heart; and I am in a season of great pruning and discipline. He’s helping me learn to be a wife and mom that is more patient, more kind, and more gentle.
This summer he has been cutting away the parts of me that don’t reflect his love and showing me a better way to move forward with my little tribe that produces fruit.
It hurts.
Like my son’s braces, this pruning season has caused many tears and much frustration for me. Seeing the areas I need to grow and learning to do things differently has been so hard. I have fallen short so many times! But God’s mercies have been new each day and slowly I am starting to see growth.
Sweet friends, if you are in a season of “braces,” let me encourage you to keep your beautiful chin up and keep going. God loves you and is disciplining you because of his great love.
Hebrews 12:10-13 explains:
“For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
What a promise! We get a peaceful harvest at the end of the discipline. I don’t know about you, but I would love an abundance of peace. Amen to that!
I love how this verse ends…so let this be your encouragement for today:
“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”
Take a new grip! Keep going. Smile because you are loved and this time of discipline is doing good things. Don’t give up! The end result will be worth the temporary discomfort.
We are better together.
Mint
He didn’t love it.
His teeth are so sore and his mouth feels uncomfortable. Before the braces went on, he had to get two teeth pulled and then have spacers and an expander placed.
It was a lot of correction for one little mouth.
He kept saying, “Why do I have to do all this? It’s not fair. It hurts.” To which I would reply, “Because your teeth need it to function better and it will help you have a lovely smile too.”
The thing is, Zeke’s mouth is narrow and not all his teeth fit. As a result, his pearly whites are coming in crooked and sideways. If we don’t do something, there will be a huge mess ahead for him. All the metal we are putting in his mouth will help make sure he has a great smile someday. But for now, he is pretty miserable: he can’t eat what he used to, he can’t brush how he used to, he can’t talk how he used to. It’s a growing season for sure.
It got me thinking…
When God disciplines us, it feels a lot like Zeke’s braces. It hurts, is uncomfortable, and forces us to change behavioral patterns. At the time, it’s not fun at all. It feels unfair and painful.
But God, in his infinite wisdom and love, sees the areas of our life that are not going in the right direction and he loves us enough to help change our course… even if we are resistant to it. He does it so that in the future, we will be on the right path that leads to glory. In other words, our smile will be bright and shiny.
His discipline is always, always for our benefit. And while it’s often painful, his hand of guidance helps us to become more like Christ and to be prepared and equipped to do the good works he has planned for us to do. His correction is purposeful and intentional.
God’s discipline is always carried out in such a way that it can draw us closer to him and his character, as it cuts away the parts of us that aren’t producing his goodness.
John 15:1-3 says it this way:
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.”
Pruning.
Discipline.
Braces.
Not fun, but necessary and beneficial.
The reality is that we all need braces, so to speak. I am the first to admit that the Lord has lots of work to do in my heart; and I am in a season of great pruning and discipline. He’s helping me learn to be a wife and mom that is more patient, more kind, and more gentle.
This summer he has been cutting away the parts of me that don’t reflect his love and showing me a better way to move forward with my little tribe that produces fruit.
It hurts.
Like my son’s braces, this pruning season has caused many tears and much frustration for me. Seeing the areas I need to grow and learning to do things differently has been so hard. I have fallen short so many times! But God’s mercies have been new each day and slowly I am starting to see growth.
Sweet friends, if you are in a season of “braces,” let me encourage you to keep your beautiful chin up and keep going. God loves you and is disciplining you because of his great love.
Hebrews 12:10-13 explains:
“For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
What a promise! We get a peaceful harvest at the end of the discipline. I don’t know about you, but I would love an abundance of peace. Amen to that!
I love how this verse ends…so let this be your encouragement for today:
“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”
Take a new grip! Keep going. Smile because you are loved and this time of discipline is doing good things. Don’t give up! The end result will be worth the temporary discomfort.
We are better together.
Mint
