Painful Discipline

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it's painful!  But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. ~ Hebrews 12:11

How are children supposed to know the true, or right way to live if we don't teach, guide and discipline them?  They don't!  We are all born into a sinful nature and our human instincts do not always have our best interest(s) at heart.  Even as adults we sometimes need to be re-directed and guided so that we can rebuke ways of thinking and be open to instruction before our discipline turns into severe consequences.  Sometimes God allows us to go through hard times so He can discipline us as a way of refining, or pruning back some off the very character traits we have been asking His help to change.  God's discipline shows us His love through assurance that He doesn't want to see us fall flat on our face when we think we know better than Him, but He will allow the fall if need be.  The Lord uses discipline to call us back to Him and His ways so that we would not become consumed by this broken world.  God uses trouble to test us, strengthen our faith, as a way to prepare us to help others and comfort them, or just so that we may be a light for this heavy world as they watch us go through hard times with grace and trust in Him.  Persevere my friends and lift your head up!  Endure the hardships God leads you through knowing He is with you.  He is FOR you! You shower the world with much hope and optimism when you fight with grace and truth.  Submit to God's will and continue to live for Him so that you can be called His children!  Don't fight with discipline, but instead ask God what you are supposed to learn and plow through! ~