Pain helps us to better remember life’s lessons. That’s why God’s correction often hurts. He wants it to stick with us so we don’t forget it.

Parents who won’t discipline their children are doing them more harm than good. Some parents are just too lazy to get up off the couch and correct their children. Others make an excuse for not punishing their children by saying they love them too much to spank them, or they don’t want them to go through the pain they went through as children. Those are just about the worst excuses I’ve ever heard.

It is because of God’s love that He punishes us, sometimes severely. If He used our own parenting techniques to discipline us, He’d have a bunch of rebels on His hands. God loves us too much not to correct us when we go astray. Sometimes He may even have to use pain to drive His point home. I hope you love your kids enough to do the same.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Pastor, I understand what you’re saying, but it’s too late for me. My children are now teenagers. What should I do?” The older kids get, the harder it becomes to correct problems with rebellion. But all hope isn’t lost. Pray for them and use whatever chances you get to show them how much you love them. And above all, don’t give up, because God won’t ever give up on you.