Blessed is the person who keeps on going when times are hard. After they have come through hard times, this person will receive a crown. The crown is life itself. The Lord has promised it to those who love him.
Have you completely forgotten this word of hope? It speaks to you as a father to his children. It says,“ My son, think of the Lord’s training as important. Do not lose hope when he corrects you.The Lord trains the one he loves. He corrects everyone he accepts as his son.”( Proverbs 3:11, 12)Put up with hard times. God uses them to train you. He is treating you as his children. What children are not trained by their parents?God trains all his children. But what if he doesn’t train you? Then you are not really his children. You are not God’s true sons and daughters at all.Besides, we have all had human fathers who trained us. We respected them for it. How much more should we be trained by the Father of spirits and live!Our parents trained us for a little while. They did what they thought was best. But God trains us for our good. He does this so we may share in his holiness.No training seems pleasant at the time. In fact, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace. It does this for those who have been trained by it.
My son, do not hate the Lord’ s training. Do not object when he corrects you.The Lord trains those he loves. He is like a father who trains the son he is pleased with.
As you know, we think that people who don’t give up are blessed. You have heard that Job was patient. And you have seen what the Lord finally did for him. The Lord is full of tender mercy and loving concern.
“ I have heard the groans of Ephraim’s people. They say,‘ You corrected us like a calf you were training. And we have been trained. Bring us back to you, and we will come back. You are the Lord our God.
