so the LORD your God chastens you."
Deuteronomy 8:5
The mother of a preschool child was at her wits end about a daughter who was constantly disobedient. Nothing she tried in the way of discipline worked. She asked her pediatrician for help. He suggested that the five year-old be put in time-out when misbehaving. After a couple of weeks, using time-out as discipline, she noticed that it worked. God disciplines His children. It's not because He is angry with us. It's because He loves us. Sometime, He even has to put us in time-out. Sooner or later it works.
God's motive in discipline for His children is always love (Hebrews 12:5-11). He only disciplines His children, that we may learn the lesson of "the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Discipline is a parental responsibility. God, as our heavenly Father, is not irresponsible with His children. He knows that we need correction and training in life.
As a child of God, can you think of a time in your life as a believer that your heavenly Father disciplined you? I can think of more than one. When we look back on those times, we can thank God that He cares enough for us to correct us. His motive is always love for His children. We may even experience time-out, until we learn the lesson. He teaches us through all the circumstances of life, and that includes the times when God disciplines us.
Father, as You discipline us and correct us, teach us Your ways.
