"Father God's Chastisement and Discipline"

     First of all, I'll write that this blog is purely based on my personal convictions!  Secondly, God faithfully loves and cares for me! So, with that stated, I'll dive right into this blog's subject matter;  "some of Father God's chastisement and discipline in my life."  In my opinion, good parents discipline their children with love, wisdom, and many other admirable words and actions, based on the personality, character, and the such, of each individual child.  As a "Christian/Believer," God is my loving, omniscient, sovereign (and MUCH more) heavenly Father. Even better than a mortal parent knows his/her children, God knows HIS!  Back in "1988," HE knew me, as HE still does, and knew that I was needing some chastising and discipline!!  Like 'Lazarus' (in the Bible) was resurrected, I had been "saved" (quickened - my spirit that was dead, He had made alive) by Jesus. However, just as Lazarus' grave clothes had to be physically removed after he was resurrected, so I also needed to let HIM help me get rid of some of the old, learned habits, behaviors, etc. developed from years of living a worldly lifestyle.  From the time that God gave me HIS salvation until then, I had transitioned from being a "baby" Christian to being a "carnal" Christian.  You see, there was a part of me, my spirit, that truly loved God, and desired to live for HIM.  However, the old part of me (the "downloaded" by the world, if you will, part of me - "the flesh") was still giving me problems, because, I was not consistently "walking in the Spirit," as Galatians 5:16 exhorts "Believers" to do so that we won't fulfill the desires of "the flesh!"  This did not glorify 'The Lord,' nor did HE like it!  So, God, in ALL of HIS marvelous knowledge, wisdom, love, etc., started  sending some gentle whispers of admonition, conviction, love, etc., encouraging me to line up to HIS WORD and SPIRIT!  But, instead of surrendering completely, I continued choosing to go back and forth from being  carnal to being spiritual, thinking that God understood and/or would forgive me! HE WAS merciful!  However, gradually the Holy Spirit's convictions became stronger and louder, as an earthly parent's corrections often do.  HE used various circumstances, situations, and the like, to chastise me, but, I kept on jumping from one side of the fence to the other, until the day HE LET me slip and fall, with my arms full of groceries (I think) on a wet, slick deck, landing flat on my back!  HE could have kept me from falling, but, in HIS mercy and grace, HE didn't!  Much to my surprise, the next day,  I had no pain  from that bad fall!  Then, about six months later, 'BACK PAIN' rudely introduced herself to me!! She would not be ignored, and was very pushy!  Day after day she would not leave me alone!  She began interrupting me constantly no matter what I was doing!  She greatly annoyed me! It took me years to realize that my Father had sent her to me for her to teach me many things about life, such as, whom (HIS kids) HE loves, HE CHASTENS, and, that  being healthy is a gigantic blessing, and many more very important truths, some of which I'll share in future blogs.  I see NOW that I needed to be humbled and broken, over and over again, to be more empathetic toward people who are struggling, and, to be a better person in various other ways!! He was dealing with things in me such as pride, selfishness, materialism, and other vices and matters that did not glorify HIM!  HE had to teach me to die to self - or to crucify "the flesh" daily, as Galatians 2:20 tells us to do.  So, my journey with chronic 'BACK PAIN' had begun, and I had no idea that she would still be a faithful "frenemy" thirty years later!!  We've experienced many things together;  doctors, a surgeon, X-rays, ice packs, heating pads, pain meds, hot tubs, whirlpool baths, physical therapy, exercising that doesn't upset her, stretching to which she responds positively, continually being able to do less physical activities, isolation in my home with me - at times, people misunderstanding us, and misjudging us, periodic sleeplessness,  and, on and on goes the list!  She really wears me out!  But, I continue to learn exponentially about life by listening and learning to and from her, the Bible, and HIS Spirit!  Any kind of struggling, or suffering, has the potential of teaching one a great deal, if only one shall observe!   'Back Pain" has truly been one of the best "frenemies" that I've ever had!  I would not have chosen her, because "looks" really can be deceiving, BUT, my wise Father knows exactly what HE'S doing!  I am a much better person now, and I attribute most of this to her being my "frenemy!"    I used to ask God to make "her" go away, and leave me alone!  Anymore, I continue trusting that HE shall allow and/or make her depart one day, nevertheless, if HE never does, I'll keep trying to learn everything that I possibly can from her, continually letting my 'Lord' use all of it to conform me into HIS image - being more Christlike!  I would not want to go back to being the person I was before my "friendship" with 'Back Pain!!'  Father God absolutely knows what HE's doing!  HE is a wonderful parent, who intimately understands each  of HIS children, and brings into, or allows, things to enter our lives, ONLY out of HIS magnificent, unconditional love for us!  Sometimes, HE even lets the ole devil bring someone or something (examples - depression, grief) into a life, letting satan think that he's going to destroy the person with it, only for God to use it for GOOD, often in many lives, thus, bringing glory to HIM!  Of course, HE also regularly uses many "GOOD" things to accomplish this, also!  I love that the Bible (example -Romans) covers issues of life such as this!  My prayer and hope  is that, my blog encourages, exhorts, comforts, or somehow ministers to at least one or more readers!  If you are a child of God,  I recommend that you trust and obey HIM, decisively and quickly, daily walking "in the spirit," so you won't fulfill the desires of  your "flesh," so that it is not necessary for our Heavenly Father to severely chastise and/or discipline you! Trust and obey HIM, so that HE doesn't send an annoying "frenemy" (mentor)!!