The Sheer Sweetness of Scratched Skin: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Discipline
Okay, so maybe “sweetness” isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you think about getting scratched, right? But stick with me for a sec. Lately, I've been really pondering the concept of discipline, and how God uses even seemingly negative experiences to refine us. I've come to see those little scratches, not just literally but metaphorically too, as actually acts of love, kind of like a cosmic nudge in the right direction. And you know, it's been… well, a pretty sweet journey of discovery!
I remember this one time when I was a kid, maybe eight or nine years old, and I was trying to climb this really big, old oak tree in our backyard. I was so determined to get to the very top! I had this whole vision of being like a squirrel, surveying my kingdom from way up high. I was halfway up, feeling all proud of myself, when I slipped and scraped my arm pretty badly on a branch. It stung, a lot, and I was definitely crying. My mom, instead of just coddling me (which I totally would have preferred), cleaned the scratch and then told me, “Honey, maybe you need to be a little more careful. Sometimes we rush into things without thinking.” It didn't make much sense at the time, I just wanted to be a squirrel, but now I see it. It was a lesson.
And isn’t that just what God does for us? The book of Proverbs says, "My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11-12, NIV). That really hit me, you know? It’s not that God *wants* us to get hurt or face difficulties, it’s that he loves us so much that He will use those experiences to shape us. He’s not punishing us; He’s correcting us, guiding us, teaching us, much like my mom did with my tree climbing adventure.
I’ve found this to be true in my adult life, too. There was this time at work a few years back where I just felt… stuck. I was comfortable, but not really growing. I wasn't putting in the effort to learn new skills and was coasting. One day, my boss called me into his office and, let's just say, it wasn’t a fun conversation. I felt like my ego had been completely scraped raw. It was like getting a spiritual scratch, you know? It was uncomfortable, and definitely not something I’d describe as fun, but it forced me to really look at myself and my behavior. It made me take responsibility for myself. It’s like how Hebrews 12:11 says, “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." And that’s exactly what happened, eventually. It was painful, but I came out the other side stronger and more dedicated, and much more aware. I started working on improving myself and my skills, and things got so much better.
Now, I try to look at all the little "scratches" in my life with a new perspective. Whether it’s a conflict with a friend, a setback at work, or a challenging situation in my community, I try to see it as an opportunity for growth. I ask myself, "What is God trying to teach me here? What's the lesson in this?” It's not always easy. Sometimes I want to sulk and complain, but I know, deep down, that there's purpose in those struggles. It's like the potter refining clay; the process isn’t easy, but the result is beautiful.
This doesn't mean that we should go looking for pain or suffering, of course! It means that when those inevitable scrapes and bumps happen, we can approach them with grace and faith, trusting that God is working things out for our good. It's about learning to see the sweetness even in the difficult moments and finding God in every situation. It’s about letting Him reshape us into the best version of ourselves, just like my scratched up arm led to a valuable life lesson.
I hope this encourages you to think about the challenges in your own life. Can you see God’s hand in your "scratches"? What lessons have those experiences taught you?
What’s one “scratch” you've experienced that ultimately led to growth in your life? Let’s talk about it in the comments!