“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” (Heb. 12:5-6; Prov. 3:11-12)
God chastens or disciplines those He loves – those He considers His children (Prov. 13:24)! This isn’t God punishing out of anger but rather correcting us out of love and for our benefit. God’s discipline is a sign that we are His children, in that parents typically only have authority to discipline their own children.
Have you recognized God’s discipline, and have you wrongly responded by despising or being discouraged by His discipline rather than seeing the bigger picture and being encouraged? Could it be that some people are blaming others or the devil for what God Himself is doing?