Hebrews 12: 7-11
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 are extremely difficult verses for me. I do believe that God allows us to experience hardship and pain, but I have never believed He does this as discipline or punishment. I know God allows us to grow when we are faced with challenges. Perhaps the writer of these verses felt that because God does not protect us from the realities of life, this is discipline. I am very much looking forward to reading what others take away from these verses.
Holy One, sometimes Scripture is confusing and unclear to me. Help me to understand what I am meant to understand. I will go on with my journey, longing to be closer to you. Amen
Becky, transforming
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