Now all discipline seems painful at the moment—not joyful. But later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11, TLV
Waiting for the Fruit. Hmm. Now, isn’t that the truth. Discipline seems painful, not joyful — at least at the moment. The key is waiting for that fruit, isn’t it. The moment when we learn the lesson. Even better, when we train our hearts, minds, spirits, and bodies enough that accepting discipline becomes second nature.
My Experience
Probably the most memorable and extended time of discipline I experienced, were the years without wisdom. Those years were uncomfortable, disappointing, and, yes, painful. By the time I was desperate enough to accept the discipline as an act of love from my Heavenly Father, I was prepared to do whatever He asked. Little did I know how lifechanging the simple — and difficult — act of living Proverbs would be.
How grateful I am that He didn’t give up on me, because the fruit is far more abundant than I could ever have imagined!
Do you have a recent peaceful fruit of righteousness that you can share? One that sprung from a painful discipline? But you now reap the joyful harvest? I miss your comments and stories, my friends . . .
Good morning Terri,
As of late have heeded that still small voice of the L-rd that tells me to not give unasked for advice to my youngest child. Alison is 34.
That voice whispers to my heart, need my words, listen and learn. I sit quietly in my prayer room. I release Alison to Jesus, Yeshua.
My child is making good choices and I sit quietly and watch her. From a distance I see her, in my heart, in my prayer chamber.
Painful, pruning, Needful. In the quiet recesses, the fruit of righteousness is seeded.
Shalom
Shalom sweet Dana, I feel that painful journey right along with you. Letting go and trusting our adult children to the LORD is a painful discipline. When I feel that compulsion to give my unsolicited advice, I remember what my daughter said to me years ago, “Don’t say it, Mom. I hear your voice in my head every day.” So, what we’ve sown in our children will not return void . . . someday. Hugs and thanks for sharing.
Waiting on the Lord is harder to do when a suffering saint is home with hospice. Of course we pray for healing either here or in Heaven but what to do for those keeping vigil is a daily sacred duty. Exhibiting Galatians 5 fruit when you visit and as you pray and hoping, watching for the saint to go out in a blaze of glory so others will seek the Lord as that precious saint did. The fruit of patience must develope day by day. It will not come instantly.
So true, heartbreakingly so for some. I have a friend is is on that vigil with their mother. And, unless the LORD plans otherwise, our family will be going through the same. Beautiful insights, dear Diana.