Am I Being Punished?

Have you ever felt like every time you turn around there’s another problem? Do you get the impression you’re being punished? One answer is “Yes!” you could be suffering the consequences of poor decisions, but what if you’ve been walking with The Lord in his ways, but you still feel that way? What’s going on? The short answer is: “something very good”.

If you have felt that way before or are feeling that way now, here is an excellent word of encouragement for you from Hebrews 12:5-12:

“And have you forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because The Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.’
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For whar son is not desciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 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 our spirits and live! 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. Lateer on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ‘Make level paths for you feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

So you see, you’re “punishment” or discipline is not because God is against you, but because he’s for you! He loves you and wants to see you grow into the person he’s created you to be. So don’t lose heart, but learn to appreciate the hard things, because they are proving you to be children of God!