After some knee surgery, I was unprepared for the level of physical therapy required to restore my range of motion. According to my physical therapist, the surgical procedure had caused trauma to my leg, and my muscles had shut down. Years of physical movement had been undone in 20 minutes. But I had to commit to the process of healing. Some days were tedious, some were downright painful. But the choice was clear: I would either have to push through the hurt to find healing, or I could avoid it and remain disabled.
A relational wound is no less traumatic. Much like a muscle responding to surgery, painful circumstances leave us feeling helpless and unable to experience a normal range of emotions. Whether the injury came as a result of our own failings or the actions of others, we can’t experience healing without the power of the cross. In our pursuit of restoration, we must:
• Capture God’s vision for something greater than what we’re currently experiencing by keeping our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2, 2:9-10).
• Persevere in our painful circumstances as Jesus perfects our faith. He set the example for us by willingly going to the cross (Hebrews 12:2-3; Isaiah 53:5)
• Trust in the Father’s love, even when He disciplines us and shows us things we need to change (Hebrews 12:5-7; Revelation 3:19).
As God rebuilds our lives, we must submit to His work. For only He can bind up our broken hearts (Isaiah 61:1) as we “take a new grip with [our] tired hands and strengthen [our] weak knees” and “mark out a straight path for [our] feet” (Hebrews 12:13). He restores as we choose to pray and obey.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 12:1-9; 17:1-8
More:
Read Ruth 1:1-22 and Ruth 4:1-17 and consider God’s redemptive, restorative process in Ruth’s life. How might her life have been different if she had chosen bitterness over vulnerability?
Next:
In what areas have you been spiritually disabled because of difficult or even traumatic experiences? What does restoration in these areas practically require of you?
tom felten on January 9, 2014 at 9:26 am
So true, Regina! It’s not easy to submit to God’s discipline, but His sanctifying work leads to greater glory for Him and joy for us. Yes, “the Lord disciplines those he loves.” And I’m so grateful he does.
regina franklin on January 9, 2014 at 8:00 pm
Discipline is such a revered word in the athletic arena. I wonder why we don’t often see it in the same way in the church. Too often is has such negative connotations and we have to “remind” ourselves that discipline is a response of love.
Kathy @ In Quiet Places on January 9, 2014 at 11:42 am
It is so important to allow God to do a healing work through trusting Him, because if we don’t – we risk our woundedness turning to bitterness and that brings a whole new level of pain to ourselves and those around us. God is a great healer of wounds.
regina franklin on January 9, 2014 at 7:58 pm
Kathy–you have identified such a key piece–“trusting Him.” Ultimately our relational restoration comes down to that very issue–do we trust Him to keep us safe because our identity is rooted solidly in Him and not in how others respond to us?
daisymarygoldr on January 11, 2014 at 2:01 pm
You are absolutely right Regina, about the “Father’s love, even when He disciplines us”. But then, how does paternal discipline compare to physical therapy? If you relate to God as a physiotherapist or personal trainer, then you will never understand the important principle of Father-child relationship.
And why is poor Ruth roped in as an example? Are you saying her widowhood is God’s punishment? Ruth’s bereavement is not the right illustration of bitterness in this passage. Personal interpretation will prevent us from rightly understanding God’s truth. Let scripture interpret itself. So, what is bitterness in this context?
The “poisonous root of bitterness” refers to a person who turns away from God (Deuteronomy 29:18). And in Hebrews 12:16-17 we are provided with the example of Esau’s bitterness. The writer is reminding believers about the bitter consequence of giving up our birthright as God’s children.
God punishes each one He accepts as His child (Hebrews 12:6). Of course it hurts to be humbled and told we were wrong. Remember, our pride is wounded for our own good so that we might share in His holiness. It is to prevent us from giving in to the besetting sin that hinders our faith. Therefore, when corrected we must not feel dejected and give up running the race of faith that God has set before us.
Our loving Father corrects, to keep us from following our crooked ways. If we get angry and turn away from God to continue in our own twisted thinking, then not only will it keep us spiritually disabled. We will also become stumbling blocks and cause other believers to trip and fall.
The right response for a child of God is to recognize God’s correction as the expression of His love (Revelation 3:19). Practically, what does this require of you? Trust in the Lord, submit to Him all your ways, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). This is how we “Mark out a straight path for [our] feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”
regina franklin on January 11, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Dear daisymarygoldr,
I thought it might be easier to answer if I took your questions point by point.
1. “But then, how does paternal discipline compare to physical therapy? If you relate to God as a physiotherapist or personal trainer, then you will never understand the important principle of Father-child relationship.
I agree with you that the role of a father is much different than that of a personal trainer. My analogy was in the comparison of pain. Sometimes in order for a muscle/joint to be restored, we have to endure pain. The same is true for us in our emotional/spiritual make-up. God may be “training” our spiritual muscles to work the way they were created to do but the process stretches us and sometimes brings pain.
1. And why is poor Ruth roped in as an example? Are you saying her widowhood is God’s punishment?
No. I think you misunderstood the application. Again, pain isn’t always a result of something we’ve done wrong. Her widowhood was not God’s punishment. I think the passage reveals we have a choice when pain comes–to see it as a place of discipline (i.e. spiritual “training”–too often we only equate discipline with consequences for poor behavior when sometimes discipline is not related to something we have done wrong but because God sees we are capable of more. See the previous comment about athletes).
3. Personal interpretation will prevent us from rightly understanding God’s truth. Let scripture interpret itself. So, what is bitterness in this context?
I agree about personal interpretation. Grief (that comes becomes we live in a broken world) brings us the opportunity to respond–i.e. with bitterness (which we do not see in Ruth) or with trust (which we do see in Ruth).
4. The “poisonous root of bitterness” refers to a person who turns away from God (Deuteronomy 29:18). And in Hebrews 12:16-17 we are provided with the example of Esau’s bitterness. The writer is reminding believers about the bitter consequence of giving up our birthright as God’s children.
I think this point may be one of semantics–consider how Hannah wept bitterly (1 Sam 1:10) and Simon’s experience with Peter (Acts 8:13-23).
I hope this helps to clear a few things up.
Blessings,
Regina
daisymarygoldr on January 12, 2014 at 10:09 pm
Regina, really appreciate the time and effort you took to respond 🙂 You have done a good job to address pain and bitterness in a general sense. However, the main scriptural text is Hebrews 12:1-13 and the pain, punishment and bitterness in this passage are specifically associated with God’s Discipline. This is not for “training” our spiritual muscles but to correct our sinful ways so we get trained to walk in His straight way.
Divine discipline is a misunderstood topic in the church today. While some teach discipline is not the same as punishment, others consider all difficult and traumatic experiences as discipline from God. And most don’t believe God’s chastening/scourging demonstrates His love and also proves we are His children. Sadly, many don’t realize that the way we respond to God’s discipline can result either in disability or healing.
Have a wonderful week!