DEVOTION – DAY 179

Hebrews 12:6-7 “Looking At Hardships Differently”

Heb.12:6-7 Because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by his father?

Many people regard hardships as something to be avoided. Hardships refer to difficulties and challenges we come across in our lives. Sometimes, hardships come about because of our own mistakes. For example, if we drink liquor excessively and drive and have an accident, then, the injuries we suffer are the result of our drunkenness and dangerous driving. Some hardships come about in our lives that are beyond our control. For example, if we fall sick with an illness like cancer. Because hardships cause serious disruptions and discomfort to our lives, nobody likes hardships. 

But Heb.12:6-7 offers a fresh perspective about the hardships we face in life. Instead of looking at hardships negatively, we should consider hardships as God’s way to discipline us. Just as a father disciplines his children out of love and concern for them, God, our Heavenly Father disciplines us by allowing hardships to come into our lives. Instead of asking God, “Why must I suffer?” or “Why me?” when bad things happen to us, we are to ask instead “Lord, what do you want me to learn out of this crisis?” and “Lord, how do you want me to respond in this situation so that I can honor you?” If we can learn important life lessons every time we encounter hardships, God can develop us to be the kind of children He wants us to be.

A woman lost her husband suddenly when he died tragically. She had to bring up several children on her own. Faced with this crisis, she had no one to turn to. She could only cry out to God to save her and her children. She experienced peace after that. She found a stable job and there was always just enough money to care for and feed her children. Looking back, she realized her hard life made her stronger as a person. She had to be strong because all her children depended on her. She realized too that the source of her strength was God. She knew that God was there for her when life seem hopeless. She instilled the same dependence on God into all her children. They grew up and all became Christians. Her children were able to testify that God had been good to them. They remain close knitted as a family to this day.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please help us to look at hardships as your way to discipline us for our good and for your greater purposes. Help us to have the right attitude towards hardships and to trust and thank you in all circumstances. In the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Questions

• What are your normal reactions to hardships you encounter? 
• How should you view the hardships you face in the light of this devotion? 
• Share what lessons you learnt from the past hardships that God has allowed you to experience?
• Remember, if we do not learn the lessons that God wants us to learn, we may have to face more hardships until we learn our lesson. Do you think this is true? Discuss.