Training in the hands of god is a wonderful experience. God trains those he loves. The sole intention of God in training his children is to see them grow in spiritual maturity. We are called to run a race of endurance. Can we stay calm and peaceful when we face unforeseen situations that bring despair and darkness to our lives? God uses our trials and tribulations to strengthen us. The sufferings and hardships are part of Gods bigger plan to help us, discipline us and to teach us life’s valuable lessons. He disciplines us for our own good. Are we listening? Are we taking this discipline seriously?
Its painful and hard to go through the process of discipline but it’s worth it. It is difficult to face insults, being look down and criticism from the loved ones, friends and neighbors during the process of training. But our god is a trustworthy god, who can sail us through the troubled waters.
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. Psalm 18:32
This is what the LORD says– your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48: 17
God tests us in the furnace of affliction. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. (Is 48:10) It is god who allows everything in our life, good times and bad times, light and darkness, prosperity and disaster that are meant only to refine us and not to harm us.
GODS PROMISES ON TRAINING
- When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
- I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7)
- Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. (Psalm 119:67)
- It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalm (119:71)
- Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; (Psalm 144: 1)
- Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 timothy 4:7-8)
- Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 cor 9:24-27)
- I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
- For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
- A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. (Luke 6:40 )
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to understand that all your refining processes and pruning is for our better yields. You prune every branch that does bear fruit so that it will be even more fruitful. The process may be painful and hurting, but I trust you, as the ultimate goal is to reflect your image in me. Teach me to rejoice in your discipline as you discipline those you love.