Tough Love

A good father disciplines his children. 

Don’t mistake my discipline for punishment. 

Don’t think I have stopped blessing you or removed my hand of protection. My discipline is always for your advancement and growth. Grab hold of the training I am taking you through in this season. Look at what you have learnt instead of what went wrong. Don’t lose hope. Listen and gain understanding.

In the coming days you may experience my care for you as tough love. This is not to be disregarded. I am not depriving you, but know that I always have your ultimate good in mind.

Learn to respond maturely when I say no to your request. My no is for your protection. It is about awaiting the perfect timing. It is preventing you from stepping into isolation. It is to reign you in. It is in line with my perfect love and part of a much greater plan. Trust my reason and know that the outcome will be better than you first anticipated.

Activation:

Study the scriptures below and ask the Father in what area you might need to mature. How do you respond when He says no to your request? Ask Him to grow your capacity to learn from the past. Ask for a humble heart that is willing to receive His discipline going forward.

Hebrews 12:5-7 (NIV)

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.