“For as much then as Messiah hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1-2)

 There are times in our walk and life when we are stubbornly convinced that our own thoughts, choices, and actions are the right ones.  The Book of Proverbs gives us several warnings about such self-affirming attitudes.

 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15 KJV)

 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but YHWH weigheth the spirits. (Proverbs 16:2 KJV)

 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but YHWH pondereth the hearts. (Proverbs 21:2 KJV)

 Trust in YHWH with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 KJV)

 At times like these the Heavenly Father sometimes finds it necessary to administer a shocking blow to our flesh to catch our attention.  At times, great adversity is not the work of Satan or the enemy, but the loving rebuke of our Heavenly Father.

 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so YHWH thy God chasteneth thee. (Deuteronomy 8:5 KJV)

 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (Proverbs 13:24 KJV)

 For whom YHWH loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. ⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (Hebrews 12:6-7 KJV)

 While it is clearly difficult to rejoice and sing praises during these times of being “spanked” by our Heavenly Father, we need to understand that the chastisement is truly out of love for us.  We cannot forget the character of the Creator. 

 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8 KJV)  

 Everything that the Father does is true to his character and nature.  Therefore whatever the Sovereign One wills for us is truly out of love.  This means that we must learn to give thanks even for the stinging blows to our flesh that force us to reconsider our choices, thoughts, and actions. 

Solomon encourages us not to rebel, resist or despise the chastening of YHWH, but to receive it graciously, gratefully and willingly in the spirit of love in which it was administered.

 My son, despise not the chastening of YHWH; neither be weary of his correction: (Proverbs 3:11 KJV)

 King David, Solomon’s father, clearly understood the love behind the adversity and chastening he experienced in his life time.

 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (Psalm 119:67 KJV)

 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (Psalm 119:71 KJV)

 While our pride and ego may be bruised by the discipline of YHWH it is better to be corrected than condemned.  Solomon wrote, 

 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6 KJV)

 If we are to cherish the wounds administered by a friend desiring to spare us from calamity, how much more should we rejoice in the chastening of our heavenly Father!  Trusting in the Sovereignty of YHWH is not always easy.  Trusting that everything that is permitted to happen to us is by the loving permission of the Father for the accomplishment of his holy purpose is even more difficult.  But the Apostle Shaul encourages us in the spiritual discipline of gratitude in all things.

 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Messiah Yeshua concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)

 While it may not feel pleasant or “good” at the time of chastening, in the end, the Father will reveal his perfect love and our wounds will be salved with the healing balm of his loving embrace.