Doctrine and Covenants 136:31

"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."
Doctrine and Covenants 136:31   


This scripture seems a little harsh at first, at least to me... but, you know, it makes a lot of sense.  As we grow and learn... in our lives and in the gospel (which hopefully have some relation to one another)... we have to accept the lessons that come, and recognize our mistakes, and learn from them.  If we don't, we are doomed to repeat them, and remain stagnant... or even regress.  Look at yourself in your life right now, and ask yourself... "Do I want to remain this way forever?"  Hopefully, for each of our sakes, the answer is no.  None of us are perfect.  We each are learning and growing every day... or at least we have, daily, that opportunity.  Sometimes we need to be chastised, and listen to God's instructions about how to handle things better. :)  It's hard, I know... we want to be loved, and we want to be accepted... and when the chastisement comes, it is hard to feel that. Nevertheless, it is well worth it... to be stronger and better than we were before.  And God does love us, even at our worst.  There never was a better Father... when we go astray, he does everything he can to find us and bring us back... if we feel hated and rejected by him, that is always a lie of Satan.  God never stops loving us, and he will lead us into better paths if we allow him to.  Chastisement only comes from love.  Anyone who approves everything we do, without exception, doesn't love us... only those who help us to improve.