One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me was discipline. I definitely didn’t see it that way at the time—actually, I’m pretty sure there were seasons where I thought they enjoyed disciplining me with how often it happened. It just happened to be that I was so often in need of it. Some mornings, if I’m being honest, I probably needed a spanking just to get my head on straight and start the day in the right direction.
But looking back now, I’m grateful. Discipline wasn’t about punishment; it was about shaping me. It taught me that my choices mattered, that boundaries were a form of love, and that doing the right thing wasn’t always easy—but it was worth it.
Eventually though, I grew up. And one of the more sobering realizations of adulthood is this: no one else is responsible for your discipline anymore. There’s no one standing over your shoulder making sure you get up early, spend time with God, manage your time well, or choose what’s best instead of what’s easiest. At some point, discipline has to become something you choose for yourself.
Hebrews 12:11 puts it this way:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Discipline rarely feels good in the moment. It’s inconvenient. It interrupts comfort. It asks more of us than we’d like to give. But over time, it produces something beautiful—peace, maturity, and growth. Not instantly, and not accidentally, but slowly and intentionally.
The truth is, discipline isn’t something God uses to restrict us; it’s something He uses to prepare us. It’s the quiet, often unseen work that shapes who we become. Without it, we tend to drift. We default to what’s comfortable, familiar, and easy. And while drifting doesn’t feel dangerous at first, it rarely leads us where we actually want to go.
Discipline is a gift we give ourselves. It’s choosing prayer when distraction would be easier. It’s opening Scripture when scrolling feels more appealing. It’s saying no to something good so we can say yes to something better. And over time, those small, faithful choices begin to add up.
So here’s the question to reflect on today: where might God be inviting you to embrace discipline—not as punishment, but as preparation? What small habit, boundary, or decision could help move you toward the person God is shaping you to become?
SOAP Scripture: Hebrews 12:7-11
How has discipline played a role in your life? Ask God to help you see it not as something to avoid, but as a gift that leads to growth.
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
