| DISCIPLINE FOR GOD'S CHILDREN Why does God allow suffering? Sometimes those who seem to be the best Christians suffer more than others. Why? One answer to that difficult question is that we fail to realise that God uses various methods to bring about Christ-likeness. Suffering is one of his methods. If we keep that in mind we will understand this passage more clearly. God loves us. He is our heavenly Father who has our best interest at heart. What do the words 'chastening' and 'discipline' mean? Is chastening only punishment? Is discipline only saying 'no'? The words are much the same and refer in the first place to child training or education by means of correction. There are times when that correction needs to be severe. That is true for earthly parents. It is certainly true of our heavenly Father. God trains largely through the lessons we learn under various circumstances. He may use sickness but that is often caused by us neglecting our bodies so we can't blame God for that. What should be our reaction to God's training? The writer to the Hebrews says: We can despise it (or regard it lightly) - verse 5. We can lose heart or faint because of it- verse 5. We can become bitter- verse 15. We can be helped by it- verses 5-12. The writer also says 'You are no longer children who don't understand why parents punish, correct or train you. You are adults now. Whatever happens to you, look beyond it to God. That will bring enrichment to your lives and growth in your souls.' A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: My heavenly Father always knows what is best for me and is planning in love for me. | 
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