Now & Later...

"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 prace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11

Have you ever found yourself asking the question, "why is this happening to me?" There will be times that you go through lessons or trials, you may even be in the midst of one at this very moment (and if you aren't pray for someone who is because someday it will be you standing in the need of prayer.) The first thing I encourage you to do during these times is to pray that God opens your eyes and your heart to see and receive whatever you should learn from this situation. Sometimes God will not change the situation, instead He will change you and through your growth things will begin to shift. Secondly, I would like to remind you that this too shall pass... Whether you are being taught discipline simply to promote growth in your life or you are being disciplined for something you have done outside of the will of God, you can hold on knowing that discipline is like a Now & Later... It's hard and tough right NOW, you feel stuck and as if every move is a struggle... but... IT GETS GREATER LATER!

You see, God, being the loving and caring Father that He is will discipline us and allow trying times to gently guide us in the way we should go, yet the tough times don't last always. In fact, if we take heed to the temporary discomfort of the lesson without complaint and remember the lesson the next time the opportunity to slip up comes around by choosing to do the right thing and remain within the will of God we can be sure God will bless us accordingly... Don't take my word for it: Psalm 84:11 states: "For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right."

And for those of you who have not done anything wrong but you still find yourself in a position of being disciplined, seek God for the greater purpose in the lesson. You may find joy in the fact that God does nothing without purpose. "And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This thing you're facing shall develop a marvelous testimony and produce a great harvest for you if you faint not!

I am praying for you all! Remember, it's hard NOW... but it gets greater LATER!

"I consider our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory which shall be revealed in us..." Romans 8:18