Thankful. . .Eventually

Ready:  

“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” — Hébreux 12:11  

Set: 

I was sitting at my computer, completely absorbed in the day’s work—checking tasks off my list, making phone calls, writing letters, following up with people. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was a text from a former player. She simply wrote to say thank you—but for what?  

She shared that she had joined the Army, completed basic training, and had just been assigned a great position at her base. Her message ended with: “Thank you. I didn’t understand what you were doing then, but I do now. Grateful for you. Love you.”  

I leaned back in my chair, deeply moved.  As her coach, we had wrestled through hard lessons: learning accountability, maturing in leadership, facing consequences and striving to become the best version of herself. None of it was easy—for either of us. But it mattered. It stuck. And now, years later, she saw it.  

That moment made me think: God does the same with us. He coaches us, challenges us, disciplines us—not to harm us, but to grow us. In Hebrews 12:7–11 we are reminded to endure hardship as discipline… God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness… No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.  

It’s not always clear in the moment, but God’s discipline is a gift. He’s shaping us with purpose. So today, don’t forget to text back. Tell your Heavenly Coach, “Thank You. I get it now.”  

Go: 

1. How have you resisted God’s discipline in your life? 

2. Looking back, can you see what God was doing? 

3. How can you help others grow through that same discipline? 

Workout:  

Overtime: