It was a sunny afternoon in high school, and our business teacher was teaching her heart out.

I, on the other hand? I was trailing off, my eyes giving in to the allure of a siesta.

I knew she loathed seeing us nod off in her class. She perpetually made it clear that it was a very grave offense.

“If you feel sleepy, stand at the back of the class and you won’t get into any trouble.” She would holler.

She ranked as the harshest teacher in the school, and we knew better than to cross her path.

But on this fateful day, before I could amble to the back of the class, I conked out. And then she spotted me.

The next day, during lunch break, I was scrubbing the craggy bark of a tree using a brush, soap, and water.

That was the punishment she meted out on me – for napping in class.

She instructed me to scour clean the imposing tree that stood right at the center of the school.

I was in full view of both students and teachers.

She had a list of other ridiculous punishments she tortured students with. Like filling a bucket with water using a spoon or digging a hole using a kitchen fork!

That was back in my high school days in Kenya. Thankfully, things have changed now.

Because really, all I needed was a hug, but I digress.

Needless to say, that was the last time I got into trouble with her in my four years in high school.

I recently narrated this ordeal to my daughters, hoping for some sympathy and perhaps some snugly comforting hugs.

But my youngest quipped, “But mommy, you are the one who didn’t follow your teacher’s instructions!”

I have kept mulling over her words (and indifference) and got stirred to reflect on how our heavenly Father deals with us when we miss the mark.

His Word First Instructs Us

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

Before God chastens us, He instructs us through His word. His desire is for us to lead righteous lives and has stipulated His will in the 66 books of the Bible.

He handed us a life manual because He does not want us to prod in the dark, fumbling around, oblivious of His will.

He wants us to know how to respond in every situation. His perfect will is for us to be instructed in righteousness.

That’s why He asks us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Mathew 6:33).

Righteousness is a big deal to God and comes first!

Little wonder that He asked Joshua not to veer off His laws to the right hand or the left.

He wanted him tethered to His will so that he would go on and prosper (Joshua 1:7).

But you and I know that we don’t always choose God’s righteous paths- either out of ignorance or downright disobedience.

To realign and redirect us, God will often chasten us.

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He Chastens Us Because He Loves Us

“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (Hebrews 12:6-7).

“He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” (Proverbs 13:24).

It’s unusual to find parents unperturbed as their child’s character deteriorates.

Loving parents will move heaven and earth to keep their children on the straight and narrow.

When push comes to shove, parents may even send a battalion of relatives to reason with the child or send them to a therapist.

Our loving Father, too, is highly invested in our righteousness.

He knows that when we perpetually miss the mark, we sabotage our progress and derail His purposes in our lives.

He knows that sin separates us from Him and His will. Out of sheer love, He chastens us to redirect our hearts towards His will.

Chastening Hurts

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11).

We can either allow God’s word to train us in righteousness, or we can be trained through chastening.

The choice is ours.

This choice is nestled in the decisions we make every day as we go about life.

Only that chastening hurts. I have been chastened by God more times than I can count, and it has often hurt so bad.

I don’t like it. But the pain swerves me towards righteousness.

It yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

Our righteousness is God’s end goal.

David knew firsthand the benefits of chastening. Here is his confession:

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” (Psalm 119:67).

His affliction accomplished exactly what God had intended (in the first place).

Don’t be Discouraged When Chastened

I have been there, sulking after being chastened. Sucking my thumb.

Feeling downright discouraged.

I have behaved like my young daughters, who stomp away in fury and crawl into a pitiful corner after being disciplined.

At that moment, they want nothing to do with whoever was redirecting them.

Because chastening stings. It can get grisly.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him” (Hebrews 12:5).

God doesn’t want us to stomp away from him but to draw nearer.

He wants us to pay attention to the areas He is aligning in our lives.

He chastens us for our own good, so we ought to respond in gratitude and reverence.

We should neither take his chastening lightly nor get discouraged by it.

Are you reeling from the pain that comes with God’s chastening?

Chin up. Sense His love. Draw closer to Him.