Don’t Despise the "No"

READ  
Proverbs 3:11-12 

CONSIDER 
Nobody likes being told "no." Whether it’s "no" to the job you wanted, or "no" to the way you wanted a situation to play out. It’s a bummer.  

But sometimes, the "no" isn't just disappointing. It’s God, your Heavenly Father, being your holy parent. Solomon tells us not to reject the Lord’s discipline because God corrects the ones He loves. Just like a good father doesn't let his child play in traffic, God doesn't let us stay comfortable in our immaturity. 

REFLECT 
When God corrects us—when He points out a bad attitude or shuts a door we were trying to kick down—He isn't rejecting us. He’s refining us. He’s chipping away the parts of our character that don’t look like Jesus. If God didn’t care, He’d let you stay exactly where you are. But He loves you too much for that. So, don’t despise the discipline.  

We believe in "growth in grace." Even after we give our hearts to Jesus, we have a lot of growing to do. Discipline helps us mature. It’s God’s way of preparing us for the next part of the journey. 

PRAY 
Father, thank You for loving me enough to correct me. It’s not easy, but I accept Your discipline. Use it to refine me and make me more like Jesus. Amen.