"'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all children have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we have respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?"
I've been learning to treat the unloving with love. And I've definitely messed up, but God is honoring my efforts and my genuine desire to imitate Christ with a feeling of peace. I had felt pounded down by inner rebukes as I have realized my short-comings, but I am choosing to not define myself by my short-comings. I am choosing to define myself by Christ, and allow Him to syphon those things out of my heart. And it is good to know that God acknowledges me as His child during this time.
