11My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. 12For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12 (NLT)
Some Christians think the Lord’s discipline, chastening, training, or correction means hardships, trouble, and even tragedy including sickness, accidents and death. But that’s a fallen nature mindset and it’s not true of God’s character. All the hardships, pain, and suffering in the world are the result of the fall of man and not in any way connected to God’s ways. God disciplines us with His Word and Holy Spirit. They are our God given and ordained teachers and trainers. Responding positively to what God tells us even in the midst of fiery trials is the discipline of the Lord in action. When we read the account of Joseph the son of Jacob, we only focus on what he suffered but Scripture points out and emphasizes that the Word tested him or proved him true – Psalms 105:19. The things Joseph suffered from people wasn’t the real discipline of the Lord. The Word God had given him through dreams and his holding onto it was the discipline of the Lord. What he went through was the work of men – Psalms 105:18, but it served as the ground where the Lord disciplined and trained him with His Word. If trouble or trials were the discipline then everyone who suffers would be disciplined, but it’s not like that. It’s the Word and Holy Spirit who teach, remind, encourage, warn, and strengthen us. It’s the Word and Holy Spirit who even in the midst of suffering and pain discipline us to be patient, confident, kind, faithful, godly, honest, forgiving, understanding and loving.