I am sure that like me you have heard the phrase; “No Pain, No Gain”. Well I never really thought to apply it to my walk with Christ. It is truer in our walk with Him than other places on this earth.
“5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastised every son whom he receives.’…11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:5-6 & 11 – (ESV)
These verses give me encouragement with regard to the concept of pain for gain. God never indicated that being a Christian would be easy. In fact, if we look at the life of Jesus where He was rebuked and attacked and tested, He still stayed the course even to death for the gain was greater than the pain.
How can I grumble about the difficulty I am having if Jesus did not grumble with the even worse time He had of it while walking this earth? I have to place things in context and realize that here on the earth, I may be suffering, but God is preparing my reward for my perseverance.
I must have and endure discipline to stay the path laid out for my by God. My reward will be great, but I have to stick it out for the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” in store.
Are you feeling the pain of discipline? When you feel that pain, where are you looking? Are you looking at the pain, or the blessings to come?
Trevor's Thoughts 