Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but 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 for those who have been trained by it.
These verses come from Hebrews 12:7-11, and I can personally tell you that these verses are so true in our lives as Christians. To endure is everything, we endure daily, we fight against the patterns of this world and fight for God's kingdom. Jesus tells us that we will face hardships in John 16:33:
But discipline from God? Why does He even do that? Well look at it like how your father and mother (hopefully) disciplined you. God wants only the best for you. He wants you to grow more mature spiritually and for you to join more fully to His Son. He wants you to give your life to His will. He doesn't want you perfectly comfortable, because that is when we grow lazy with our faith.
God disciplines us as a good Father, the best Father. He discipline us not to hurt us, but because He loves us so much that He doesn't want to leave us in our previous state. Think of Job. Job was tortured by the devil, he lost all that he had-family, house, health-yet he never cursed God. As a result, God blessed Job more greatly than he had previously known. God used that horrible agony that Job endured all for His glory. What more can we ask for? We are all the clay, and God is the potter. Job didn't fight the Potter's hands, but endured the stress and trials that eventually formed him more perfectly into God's vision for His child.
I know that I fight God's hands sometimes, especially when the road gets tough. I look for the easy escape and try to avoid conflict and trial. But the more I search these verses (above) and characters such as Job, the more I am realizing that God works through the bad for the good. Look at Jesus, He endured the cross for the joy set ahead of Him. If the perfect Son of God can trust God's will enough to endure death, can't I do the same?
My weekly challenge for you: find at least one area in your life that you can submit to God's discipline for you. Hand over all your anger, frustration and sorrow. Let Him work in your life, He is doing it for your good!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
But discipline from God? Why does He even do that? Well look at it like how your father and mother (hopefully) disciplined you. God wants only the best for you. He wants you to grow more mature spiritually and for you to join more fully to His Son. He wants you to give your life to His will. He doesn't want you perfectly comfortable, because that is when we grow lazy with our faith.
God disciplines us as a good Father, the best Father. He discipline us not to hurt us, but because He loves us so much that He doesn't want to leave us in our previous state. Think of Job. Job was tortured by the devil, he lost all that he had-family, house, health-yet he never cursed God. As a result, God blessed Job more greatly than he had previously known. God used that horrible agony that Job endured all for His glory. What more can we ask for? We are all the clay, and God is the potter. Job didn't fight the Potter's hands, but endured the stress and trials that eventually formed him more perfectly into God's vision for His child.
I know that I fight God's hands sometimes, especially when the road gets tough. I look for the easy escape and try to avoid conflict and trial. But the more I search these verses (above) and characters such as Job, the more I am realizing that God works through the bad for the good. Look at Jesus, He endured the cross for the joy set ahead of Him. If the perfect Son of God can trust God's will enough to endure death, can't I do the same?
My weekly challenge for you: find at least one area in your life that you can submit to God's discipline for you. Hand over all your anger, frustration and sorrow. Let Him work in your life, He is doing it for your good!
Thanks soo much for posting this. Really spoke to me. I pray that the Lord continues training me up and chastising me as His child. Thanks again for such and amazing post! God is doing great things in your life. Just thought to let you know.
ReplyDeletePayton! Thank you for posting this! i really needed to hear this. So true! God only disciplines us because He loves us and wants the best for us. To keep us on track with our relationship with Him. Always being inspired by your posts! keep um up! :)
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