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Thoughts of a saint and slave
by Sam Isaacson
I think this is one of the most encouraging yet difficult passages in the whole of Scripture.
'My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.' (Proverbs 3:11-12)
Do not!
I don't like to think of the Bible as a list of rules telling us to do certain things and not do other things, but it is unavoidable here; Solomon simply commands us not to despise or be weary of God's discipline, and for good reason. It is easy for us to get into a tough time in life and start to hate God for it: 'Aren't you supposed to be in control?!' Indeed at times it can become quite exhausting - sometimes we can be struggling with something for so long that we just get fed up with the whole thing and want to give up.
It is not wrong to express our frustration and impatience to God; just read some of the Psalms! But when that turns into simply getting fed up with God, we've overstepped the mark.
Analogies
There are some images in the Bible which are just so useful in understanding its messages, and perhaps the best is that of a father and his son. When we truly grasp this understanding of God's relationship with us it becomes a joy and privilege to persevere through tough times. In Acts we're told of some early Christians who were 'rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.' (Acts 5:41) They were enduring a hard time but truly understood that God was their loving Father, and would only allow them to suffer for a good cause.
Need I remind us of those words from Romans 8:28-29: 'And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.' Through suffering we are conformed to the image of Jesus, and that discipline we receive from the Father is for our own good. I see this best exemplified when we look at the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). How else will we be conformed to Jesus' infinite and perfect patience without being put in a situation in which we learn to wait patiently, perhaps far longer than we would like?
Are you in a time of suffering right now? Are you tempted to get fed up with God? Trust in Him as your Father, and ask Him what He wants to teach you.
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