I don’t know anyone who seeks or likes discipline. Typically it is, minimally, uncomfortable but on the flip side – the potential is enormous. The experience can be painful but the resultant learning is always significant. The important consideration is how you approach discipline.
Discipline is almost always associated with punishment but that really is a short sided view. While punishment can be involved discipline is more a mindset than an action. When I was growing up, ‘punishment’ in my home was meted out principally by my Mom, and her approach was more of a… come let us reason together. Therefore, my approach in negative situations and potential ‘punitive’ ones is… what was learned?
I remember that one of Mom’s favorite approaches to misdeed was, what do you think your punishment should be? I hated that because my punishment was always greater than what she would have done. But it also caused me to look at the responsibility issue and what ramifications occurred from an act.
But this is the effect from going contrary to what one should be doing which, though related, is not the heart of discipline. Discipline is character producing and is not necessarily punishing however, it is always corrective. The context is learning and developing. It is always highly focused.
Scripture talks about discipline being harsh for a season which indicates that it is related to the immediate behavior that is self defeating. But as soon as the lesson is learned, the disciplining ceases because it is time to move on. Discipline is related to who you are becoming which is why it is character building.
