Hebrews 12
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline —then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 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! 10 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. 11 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.
Discipline does not necessarily mean punishment. God disciplines ALL his children - obedient ones and otherwise - because he loves us all.
When I face whatever hardship, I should remember that God is allowing me to go thru it - it is not by accident or coincidence. Discipline is never pleasant but it will in the end make me a much better child of God.
Proverbs 15
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
These Proverbs also reminded me the inportance of having the humility to accept correction - that I am far from perfect, and God can use other people to correct me. I pray that I may be able to swallow my pride and allow myself to be corrected - for his glory.
