“Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.” Hebrews 12:7-13 NET
This passage is one of my favorites because it reminds us to
prioritize our spiritual growth and understand God’s grand design: that we are
sons of the Most-High God. In contrast, our society often leads us away from
the transformative power of suffering and promotes a hedonistic pursuit of
pleasure. However, it is through suffering that we truly mature, not through
fleeting pleasures. If pleasure were the path to maturity, Jesus's
sacrifice would be in vain; he would have been better off lounging on a beach,
enjoying the sunset, and sipping a margarita.
This passage tells us to transform our suffering into
discipline; it is a change of perspective by seeing what happens to us in a
different light, not just happenstance, but providence. All suffering has a
definite purpose, which is to deeply form our lives into trusting Him for the
outcome, for our heavenly Father in always behind all things that seem to
befall us.
I recently heard a story about a Christian man who became
seriously ill. He believed he had to fight for his life by praying
fervently and striving for God’s healing and restoration. However, he did not
realize that God's love for us is not defined by what He does for us, like
healing or restoration; rather, it is who He is. God's nature is to love, and
that love is His desire for us.
If this man had understood that he didn't need to struggle
for his life, but instead, if he had surrendered himself into the hands of his
Creator, his perspective might have changed. Ultimately, if God is not finished
with someone—shaping and refining them through their suffering—then He will
raise them up from their illness to complete the work He has started in their
life. If not, then he would meet Jesus and receive his eternal reward.
“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit
within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a
heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
The real deception occurs when we cling to the idea that we still possess the old heart—or that we must somehow earn our healing by doing something, by praying harder or smarter, or that we are somehow incomplete in Christ. In reality, Jesus has already accomplished everything necessary for us by His sacrifice, and we have a new heart already placed within us. We have everything we need to lead a life filled with confidence, assured that we lack no good thing in Christ Jesus.
"I can pray this because His divine power has given
us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of
the One who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these things, He
has granted us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by means of what
was promised, you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption of the world caused by evil desires." — 2 Peter 1:3-4 NET.
Many individuals perceive suffering as unnecessary and liken
it to abuse, driven by the pervasive belief that we should always pursue
happiness and indulge in hedonistic pleasures. This mindset starkly contrasts
with the reality of suffering, which often carries deeper significance. It is
crucial to recognize that while suffering can be transformative, there are also
blatant cases of abuse by others that go far beyond suffering’s intended
purpose, and these cases need to be unequivocally condemned and brought to
light.
The scripture in Hebrews 12:7-13 powerfully illustrates the
essential dynamics of healthy family relationships. In this framework, a father
is respected as a provider and the chief disciplinarian, guiding and shaping
the behavior of his children. This archetypal model finds its roots in the scripture from Genesis, where Adam was created from the "dust of the earth," while Eve was fashioned from his side, highlighting a distinct yet complementary role. Adam received the solemn command not to eat from the
tree of knowledge of good and evil, with the responsibility to impart this
solemn wisdom to Eve clearly, as well to their future family. Tragically, Adam
falters in this duty, failing to effectively communicate this vital truth
effectively to those he was meant to steward. This failure underscores the
profound importance of responsible leadership within the family structure,
emphasizing that the absence of genuine guidance can lead to significant
consequences.
Many might disagree with my perspective on suffering, but
consider this: Shouldn’t our relationships with our earthly fathers
consistently embody positivity and affirmation? When fatherhood is genuinely
practiced in a way that reflects God’s unconditional love, the answer should be
a resounding yes. Yet, the harsh reality is that many of us experience earthly
fathers who were imperfect and had their own pain and often fail to communicate
the true essence of God's heart. This disconnect leads to profound suffering,
leaving our hearts yearning for the authentic love only our heavenly
Father can provide.
The writer powerfully explores the notion of physical suffering by emphasizing the necessity of strengthening weak arms and knees. This idea encourages us to take ownership of our weaknesses and actively work to revitalize the aspects of ourselves that have grown feeble through lack of exercise. It highlights the profound, transformative impact that suffering can have, revealing that diligent effort can lead to remarkable improvements and results. Furthermore, there is a significant spiritual dimension as we reach out to God, who is our healer. This divine intervention not only strengthens us but also offers profound reassurance, igniting hope and imbuing our lives with a renewed sense of purpose. As a result, we are empowered to become effective in areas where we once felt ineffective, embracing our potential for growth and resilience.
We are called to recognize our purpose: to be God's arms and
legs in a world longing for His unconditional love. This love is expressed
through us as we open ourselves to His transformative power, especially during
times of suffering. We become powerful vessels of His grace and compassion by embracing this journey.
I am reminded of a song from Bobby McFerrin, which he sang with his father Robert McFerrin Sr., who was a minister. The song is called “Discipline” and is taken from this passage in Hebrews 12:11-13. Due to copyright laws, I cannot post the song directly, but below is a link to YouTube. https://youtu.be/PyXn2IqIB-s?si=_Kw0StNZ_E2d-WgF
Stephen Barnett
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