But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
1 Corinthians 11:32

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6

We who trust in Jesus, who follow Him, who are His disciples, are constantly in the process of being disciplined by Him. We signed on for this when we asked Him to be the Lord of our life; God takes this request seriously.

There are times when His discipline means a course-correction. I’ve begun to sidestep His plan and He returns me to the right way through what amounts to a “smack up-side of the head.” There are other times when God is giving me the opportunity to exercise faith, to trust in His promises and keep following faithfully in spite of hardships He has allowed in my life.

Do the work. When you need correction, respond gratefully to His loving, fatherly discipline. When you just need to exercise faith, respond to His expert training. He knows what’s coming and is preparing you for it.

Lord, I trust You. Give me discernment to recognize and respond when I’m being corrected, and to know when I just need to trust in Your training process and continue, in order to become strong. My life is in Your loving hands. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles