Hebrews 12:9-11

"Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
Hebrews 12:9-11


It is a hard thing to hear sometimes that God is displeased or wants us to change. We often expect that source of unconditional love to also be a source of unconditional approval... and it just isn't. God loves us unimaginably much, and because he cares so much, he wants us to grow and improve... just like an earthly parent might want a child to actually learn to tie his or her shoes, or learn the alphabet, or to ride a bike or drive a car, or to go to college and learn some independence rather than allowing the child to sit and learn nothing because they are upset or lazy or scared of learning. It isn't that the parent doesn't care... it is the realization that the child needs to learn certain things in order to progress and gain comfort in the next stages of life. God chastens us *because* he loves us, and we need that sort of feedback in order to improve. So today, even though it isn't fun, let's listen to the Lord's feedback, and examine our lives and find an area in which we need to improve. As we grow and change, even the pain of realizing our mistakes will be overwhelmed with the peace and joy that comes from changing and purifying ourselves.