Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you no longer felt a hunger for the things of God? That passion, that stirring, that zeal to know him dulled because everything in your life was so comfortable; your thoughts occupied with earthly things. If this applies to you, it is time to look through God’s lens of eternity and grasp a picture of something bigger than yourself.
An old maxim goes, “God comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” Sometimes God looks into the heart and realizes it’s time to shake things up — not that he would intentionally harm you, but he will bring along things to awaken you out of your lethargy. Why? Because he wants much more for you than your contentment and happiness. The Holy Spirit might be saying it is time to bring a little disruption into your life because he wants your heart to be eternally focused on him, loving him, knowing him — and, most of all, being his completely.
In Hebrews we read about earthly fathers who disciplined their sons “for a short time as it seemed best to them” (Hebrews 12:10). “But [God] disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” (same verse).
David was no stranger to this discipline: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word” (Psalm 119:67). “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes … I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me” (119:71 and 75).
No one enjoys the feeling of correction, but if you do not submit to the gentle discipline of the loving Father, your faith will diminish and you will become more self-focused.
Pray this prayer with me: “Heavenly Father, give me a heart to love you more as you draw me ever closer to you. Break my heart with what breaks your heart and help me to reach out to those around me with your precious love.”