Hebrews 12:6-11

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.”  Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?  But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons.  Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life?  For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.  Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.

When hardship and difficulties come rushing through my door, my first thought is usually, “Why me?” I wonder what I did wrong to deserve this. Thoughts cross my mind like, “this is happening to me because I haven’t been praying lately”, or “this wouldn't be happening if I would have…” I take the new disaster going on in my life and I place it squarely on my own shoulders, knowing it is impossible that I could bear it alone. God is leading us somewhere, and trust me, we want to be where He wants to lead us. The painful process of suffering through hardship is not easy, and it is not a solo mission. God is not looking for us to endure alone, but for the process to create a deeper relationship with Him and for us to trust Him and rely upon Him in those storms.