I don’t often have never thought to myself, “I’m so thankful the Lord is using this event in my life to correct foolishness in my heart.  What a blessing!”

I’m just not a take-discipline-with-a-smile kinda girl.  I prefer to whine and complain like my two-year-old when she doesn’t get to have candy canes for breakfast.  I like to thrash and fight against the Disciplinarian instead, hoping to shirk Him off before any correction can be administered.

But Job’s friend, Eliphaz, offers a different take on discipline.

He says, “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty,” (Job 5:17).

Two ideas here.

“Blessed is the man whom God corrects.”  Correction is a good thing.  By definition, correction teaches me how to do something better than I am currently doing it.  Better for me.  Better for those affected by me.  Better for God.  Win-win-win.

When I remember that, I begin to see correction in the correct light – a beneficial light.

The second idea comes from “so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”

That phrase tells me that it is possible to despise the discipline of the Almighty.  And my flesh only confirms that is true.

I have to intentionally guard against having a spirit that despises the often painful work the Lord does in my heart to mature me.

But why shouldn’t I despise God’s discipline?  It hurts!  It requires me to change.  I am totally justified in hating divine discipline…

Back to the first phrase.

I should not despise God’s discipline because correction is a blessing.  

Oh.  Yeah.  We already established that.

Lord, I know Your correction and discipline in my life are for my good.  Help me keep that perspective and cooperate with You as You make me more like Christ.