Discipline.

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

(Hebrews 12:11, NLT)

Hey everyone! It’s your girl Julie, back with another segment of “Salty & Lit,” and in today’s post, we’re going to be talking about discipline. Let’s pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for discipline. Thank You for the fact that it’s a gift. Help us to understand that discipline isn’t always comfy, but it works out for our good each time we do it for Your glory. Thank You Abba. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

As a teacher, something I’m learning is how to discipline my students. Sometimes, I feel as though I should be nice and let them get another chance, but while that can be important to do from time to time, I need to understand what discipline does for my children in the classroom: it teaches them life skills. It teaches them responsibility, it teaches them how to live, and it teaches them how to be mature. When I don’t discipline my students, I can come across as accepting the behavior done, allowing them to do it again and again, until one day it can become a big deal, and one thing I notice is that disciplining kids helps it avoid becoming a big deal.

When we talk about discipline, we’re talking about the education/training that a person receives (BibleHub, 2026). Discipline can be anything: it can be a correction, exhortation (a strong urging (Merriam-Webster, 2026)) or something else. All in all, discipline is an action taken by someone to correct the behavior of another.

The verse in Hebrews talks about us receiving discipline from God. If we don’t receive discipline from God, that means we’re not considered “legitimate” children. If a parent doesn’t love his/her child, s/he wouldn’t correct the child. In fact, the parent might let the child do whatever they want (I also want to make a note that there are moments that parents are tired yet still love the child and allow the child to do what s/he wants in that moment), yet this is all to say God is a good Father, and He disciplines those He loves. When we go through that discipline, though it is painful, it reaps a good reward, making us more like Christ.

When I clean my room for example, I’m learning to steward my time. In fact, God has been teaching me a lot about time management. He’s been teaching me “the time is there… I just have to utilize my time better.”

Friend, God is growing us in so many areas. He uses discipline to make us more like Christ. Like the verse said above, discipline is painful, but it reaps a reward in the end.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT).

Father, You have given a spirit of self-discipline, and You’re training us to live uprightly. Help us to submit to Your process, to know that discipline is important and makes us into the image of Your Son. We thank You Abba. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Works Cited

"exhort." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2026. Web. 24 May 2026.

“Strong’s Greek: 3809. Παιδεία (Paideia) -- Discipline, Instruction, Training, Education.” Bible Hub, biblehub.com/greek/3809.htm. Accessed 24 Sept.

2026.