A good back rub by a skilled person often reveals unexpected soreness, tightness and pain amidst the relaxation. As deep tissues and muscles are worked over there is this strange combination of pain and relaxation. “It hurts so good” and the result is some real relief and renewal.
Discipline often reveals a similar reality in our lives. A skilled person identifies areas in our life, and they go to work on it to bring some needed discipline for our relief and renewal. “It hurts so good.”
The Bible has this incredible piece of truth tucked away in the book of Hebrews chapter 12 verse 11: “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
The nature of discipline is to address a situation or to instill a pattern that is for our good. There is often painful adjustments to be made as part of a disciplinary process. The temptation is to reject meaningful discipline because it is hard. However, there is usually some level of recognition on the part of the one receiving the discipline that there is a valid reason and need.
Even though it is not enjoyable at the time, the promised results are incredible: “A peaceful harvest of right living.”
Consider the opposite: “A turbulent harvest of wrong living.” When someone is not open to discipline, their lives begin to dominate everything in ways that are exhausting, wasteful, and hurtful. There is a commitment to shallow enjoyment. Vision for the common good is gone. It is anything but peaceful. It is not abundant. In the end it can leave one bankrupt in every way.
“A peaceful harvest of right living” is like a breath of fresh air in our world today. The path involves receiving needed discipline in our lives. The next time a skilled person applies discipline to your life, and some things are identified that need some work, remember, “It hurts so good.”