As you mature, you are expected to have a different response to trials than you had in years past. I am disciplining you as sons and daughters so that You can carry My glory to a hurting and dying world. Your response must be the same as My Son—Not my will but Your will be done. Do not refuse My discipline, for it is the path for all of My children to grow in godliness.
I am establishing My Kingdom in the earth through My obedient children. Your love and devotion to Me and My Kingdom will blaze a trail for others to follow. So rejoice! Take up your cross and surrender to Me. What you are facing is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed, so hold your head high and rejoice in your conquering King!
James 1:2-4 The Message (MSG)
2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Philippians 2:12-13 The Message (MSG)
12-13 What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Hebrews 12:10-11 New Century Version (NCV)
10 Our fathers on earth disciplined us for a short time in the way they thought was best. But God disciplines us to help us, so we can become holy as he is. 11 We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful at the time, but later, after we have learned from it, we have peace, because we start living in the right way.