Enduring in Hardship

Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"

It Will Be Worth It: James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Romans 5:3-5
"Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."

When we experience difficulties in life we know that God has our best in mind when we belong to Him. The lessons we learn from all our experiences are invaluable and will serve God in the Millennium when we rule with Him.
Those who resist the discipline of the Lord will miss the great lessons and the wisdom He has to offer through it all. Those who resist miss blessings and wisdom but worse than that their heart become prideful and bitter.

 
1 Peter 1:6-7
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

These trials come in the all forms, illness, rejection from people and heartbreak over those who say they are Christians but have no love.

Matthew 5:11-12
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

If we endure the hardships clinging to Christ we will come out the other side stronger than before, able to see the purpose.

Keep looking up, time is short and we will be going home soon.