When our daughters did something wrong, I didn’t punish them by making their life hard or crummy. I tried to teach them something better to do. I gave them opportunities to do something productive or useful. This tactic was extremely helpful when we became licensed foster parents. The foster children thrived on positive activity.

We all make mistakes. And, they will be corrected one way or another. Clearly, the Bible presents an unkind callous punishing God however over time the concept of God evolved into a more practical view of God. We read in II Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

Looking at this through the lens of spirituality, this Scripture corresponds to what we read in 21^st Century Science and Health, “Divine Love corrects and governs everyone.”

Granted, we do feel a punishment when we are doing something that opposes God, Love, Truth, Life. However, the old wives-tale that we are sick or weak or poor because of some past mistake must not stop us from realizing that God corrects a wrong by flooding us with right things to do. Impatience is corrected with new found patience. Hate is corrected by forgiveness. Adultery is corrected by faithfulness. Dishonesty is corrected with honesty. Selfishness is corrected by pro-action for society. Disease is corrected by a transformed and healthy new attitude or goal.