Being a Christian does not exempt us from going through trials and temptations, as well as the necessary disciplinary actions our heavenly Father must administer from time to time. Certainly no one likes trials and discipline, but in each case there is a divine purpose behind them. (James 1:2-4) puts it beautifully when it says:
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Trials are for our benefit. They help build us up so we can give more glory to God. Trials also help us help others going through similar situations, since we have been there before. Finally, difficult situations help strengthen our faith in God, as we see how He wonderfully brings us through them.
When we do something wrong as children, we soon come to realize that some sort of disciplinary action is going to come our way from our parents. It is no different in the case of how our heavenly Father is going to treat us when we step out of line. (Hebrews 12:9-10) tells us:
“Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.”
God’s discipline is to help bring us back into close fellowship with Himself, so He can continue to share His vast storehouse of blessings and holiness with us.
Only our great God can turn every negative situation into a positive experience.