Discipline brings comfort

In a society that thrives on instant gratification via texting, fast food, and internet, the words "discipline brings comfort" don't really fit. As a country we are quickly losing our boundaries. I don't mean physical boundaries, I mean moral boundaries. This pours over into our families. Children are looking for their limits. They want to know where the boundary is because it brings them comfort and security. Psalm 23 is perhaps one of the best examples of this. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want". The shepherd's job is to take care of his sheep. He feeds them and gives them water. He protects them from danger. He guides them and leads them. He teaches them the boundaries of their fields. Our Shepherd leads us and guides us and restores us when we need it. He corrects, rebukes and disciplines us and it brings comfort. He walks with us through "the valley of the shadow of death". Because of Him we "fear no evil". Here's the interesting part. The rest of verse says, "Your rod and Your staff, the comfort me". The rod was used to to defend the sheep from wild animals. The staff was used to hook around the necks of wayward sheep and draw them back from danger, whether that was a cliff or a wild animal or out of a hole. God uses His staff to draw us to Him and to correct us when we are wrong and to keep us within His boundaries. This needs to carry over to our children. They need to know right from wrong. They need clear boundaries that aren't confusing to them. They are looking for protection, safety and love. Whatever form of discipline you choose, let it be with love and concern for them! Don't let it be done out of anger, giving yourself personal gratification that "you showed them". Sometimes I imagine that that staff causes sheep a bit of discomfort. It's the same with children. Timeouts, losing privileges, spanks, or even early to beds aren't going to bring instant gratification to your child. They will probably bring tears but they will bring long term joy because they will know that they are safe within the appropriate boundaries. Our children, especially in a country losing it's values, need to know the feeling of a loving staff showing them what's right and a loving rod that comes down on the enemy of their soul. That rod is prayer. This year God has laid on my heart to pray for my children, and the children across the nation, like never before. Pray for the kids in your family. Pray for the kids in you kids' ministry. Pray! Our enemy is hard at work destroying our families and the rod that we have to defend them with is prayer. Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Oh that my children will dwell with the Lord forever!