God is Listening

Well last night I used my blog to let off steam about how I was feeling about things that were going on in my life. And to my surprise today during my quiet time I got an answer/reminder of why I and others go through difficulties sometimes: discipline.

The verse that cinched this for me was  Hebrews 12: 5-11(NIV) which says:

"And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.'

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 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 our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, 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."

Even though all hardship is not strictly for discipline, it may be for other things but it is good to know that God corrects us and takes us through times of difficulty for our good. It's kind of like being grounded. It's not fun and you wish you were doing other things but you get time to reflect and think about how to do the right things so you don't keep getting into trouble for the wrong things.

See Dr. Charles Stanley for more information.