“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent” - Revelation 3:19 (NIV).
Karen grew up in a home where at the snap of her finger she would get whatever she wanted. She had a room full of toys, which cost her parents, a fortune, and of which she threw about carelessly. Whenever she was asked to put anything in order Karen would throw such a big tantrum. At the dinner table Karen would leave the table all in a mess, and her parents would not dare tell for fear of her wild tantrums. “How can we upset Karen when we love her so much!” they wondered. Then once they got a maid who started scolding her for bad manners. The maid didn’t last. Karen not only got what she wanted but she did whatever she liked.
Karen was admitted to school. There she was always in trouble because she felt no one could stop her from getting whatever she wanted. One day Karen abused a teacher for asking her to do her homework. She was expelled. The parents felt the teacher and the school did not love their daughter. They now moved from school to school where again Karen would be thrown out. They were puzzled and felt teachers didn’t love Karen. “You need to practice tough love,” said one head teacher as she expelled her.
What is tough love? Some people have a misconception that to love someone they must never correct them for fear of offending them. They insist that that would be lack of love. This kind of belief has also entered the education system where some believe that children shouldn’t be given bad grades for it affects their self-esteem. Love is all about making someone feel good.
Now do you know what eventually happened to Karen? She not only failed to finish school but ended up ever in jail for committing all sorts of offences. Her parent’s failure to discipline her for fear of upsetting her ruined her entire life.
Hebrew 12:6 says, “For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” And Proverbs 13:24 says, He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” When we are in the wrong God does convict us of sin through the Holy Spirit and calls us to repent. Sometimes we suffer harsh consequences, so that we learn from our folly and do better. God’s love for us is tough love.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, creator of heaven and earth, I thank you for your love for me, which when I am at fault does not hesitate to correct me, because you love me and have my interest best at heart! God’s love for us is tough love.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
