OUR FATHERS DISCIPLINED US FOR A LITTLE WHILE AS THEY THOUGHT BEST; GOD DISCIPLINES US FOR OUR GOOD, THAT WE MAY SHARE IN HIS HOLINESS
(Hebrew 12:10).

I have many negative, destructive beliefs in my mind that have been planted there by the father-of-lies.  Usually, the first thing I do when one of these lies is triggered is to flee from it.  I would actually get up and walk away when I feel shamed in someone’s presence.  At that moment, all that matters to me is to withdraw and hide.  However, the Everlasting Father has asked me to do something different—HE HAS ASKED ME TO STAY:

ENDURE HARDSHIP AS DISCIPLINE; GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS. FOR WHAT SON IS NOT DISCIPLINED BY HIS FATHER?
(Hebrew 12:7).

Child, instead of running away, I want you to stay when your shame is triggered…so I may turn it into Holiness.  I will use the same shame the father-of-lies uses to HURT you, to HEAL you, if you would only stay and let Me.

MY SON, DO NOT MAKE LIGHT OF THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE, AND DO NOT LOSE HEART WHEN HE REBUKES YOU, BECAUSE THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES
(Hebrew 12:5-6).

Discipline means training to correct.  If you would stay, face your shame, and surrender it to God, He would turn your shame into holiness, but if you run, your shame will come back to haunt you again…and again…and again.

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”
(Hebrew 12:11).

How do you react when something or someone evokes shame in you? Do you run to a hiding place? Do you become defensive? Do you pretend that nothing is wrong? What would it take for you to stay and allow God to produce a harvest of Righteousness and Peace in you?

I encourage you to become trained, corrected, and healed by God’s discipline. Stop hiding, running away, and blaming others when your pain is evoked by the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies. Stay! Let God have His way with you, so He may treat you as a son.

PRAYER: Everlasting Father, lift my eyes above the shame, so I would see Your Holiness…and stay. May I endure hardship as a training to correct, so You could turn my abandonment into Belonging, my shame into Confidence, and my condemnation into Acceptance.