Brace Yourself!

Crooked teeth need straightening.  Orthodontist use devices known as braces to straighten and position teeth according to a person's bite.  Molds and impressions are made to create the proper appliance to produce the desired outcome, a perfect set of teeth.  There are no one size fits all braces. Each is customized for a specific patient.  Braces are adjusted periodically to shift teeth into the correct alignment.  The entire process causes discomfort which is to be expected.  Where there is not pain, there is no gain.  

Hebrews 12:7-11

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Crooked lives need staightening.  God corrects or disciplines His children to becomes as much like Him as possible.  The desired outcome is holiness allowing us to live eternally with Him.  We must submit to His work in us and on us.  Do not compare your correction to how He corrects others.  The uncomfortable tightening and chipping away was designed just for you.  Discipline is an extension of love and not a punishment.  Yes it hurts, but pain comes with the territory when moving crooked live toward holiness.  A perfect God applying perfect correction produces eternal perfection.  Brace yourself, there is gain in pain.

Inspired by Past Chuck Swindoll