Does God "Punish" Us?

Yes and No.

I believe that God is teaching us all the time. And I also know that people sometimes learn to avoid something by having a negative result from a bad action. See, there is a huge difference between punishment and disciple. Punishment is having a bad consequence from doing something wrong. On the other hand, discipline is having a bad consequence to teach us that what we are doing is wrong. Instead of just being an awful event, there is a reason for this event. This event is meant to mold us and shape us into being more like Jesus. 

For instance, I notice that I tend to lean on God and spend more time with him when I am in need. I spend time with him when life is spiraling out of control and I need something from him.

This is awful of me, I know. I am that friend that only comes to you when they need something from you. Because once life is going well and I have no huge concerns, God falls to the back of my mind. Our conversations go from being long chats before bed to a quick mindless prayer before dinner.

This is what has been happening lately. I have all of my basic needs met, I am getting married to my amazing and most perfect for me soul mate, I have amazing roommates, incredible friends and family, and overall have such a blessing-filled life.

Suddenly, it seemed like everything was falling apart.

My transcript to the college I was planning to go to had somehow not gotten through. I found a random hard lump under my skin in my face. I cannot find someone to sublease my Kalamazoo apartment in the summer, leaving me out $1200. I will not be getting my usual 4.0 this semester. There are so many things to plan between moving back to my parents, then moving to Pennsylvania, and also planning wedding. My fiance lives out of state. And my insurance is giving me issues. While a lot of these things are so minor, I've been so overwhelmed lately.

Then I noticed that I have not had a good chat with God in a very long time. My prayer life has been suffering. My heart has not been into our relationship. So I started praying. I prayed intensely, apologizing for God, begging for peace of mind and heart, and praising him for all the beautiful blessings he has given me.

And what do you know it, my prayer life has been so much better ever since! I am sending prayers up to the Big Guy all of the time, and before bed, our chats are much more intimate and lengthy. I actually feel him, as opposed to talking to nobody.

So does God discipline us to sometimes help us realize how much we need him? While I cannot be for sure, I tend to think yes. In Hebrews, he says

^"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all." -Hebrews 12:7-8

So God's discipline is because he loves us and is teaching us as our Holy Father! He is showing us that we are his children, and he wants the best for us.

While this may have been a huge random rant, I am so glad that God disciplines me sometimes. Usually, it is exactly what I need.

Love and Blessings,

Annmarie Faye

P.S. After I prayed and started getting my Jesus on much more frequently and heart felt, the following happened: I got into the college I applied to, discovered the lump on my face is nothing to be worried about, and overall felt much less overwhelmed  So while every problem in my life did not magically go away, God did lighten my load quite a bit!