Accepting Hardship as a Pathway to Peace

God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11

As an amateur hiking guide, I have seen many people turn back in the ascent to the top of Mt. Charleston, a 12,000 ft. peak overlooking Las Vegas, Nevada. The reason most people turn back is that they either didn’t take enough water or didn’t train to make the climb.

Like a mountain climber, we must submit to training that is often painful and unpleasant on the pathway to victory. As we ascend higher, the air gets thinner and the storms become more intense. In a similar way, as we submit to the discipline of hardship, we continue maturing on the pathway to righteousness and peace. The pathway will almost always include suffering, persecution, and difficulty.

In Hebrews 12:7-11, the writer describes the journey of discipleship with Christ. God allows hardship in our lives not because we have done something wrong, but because it is the only pathway to righteousness and peace. If we embrace the disciplines of hardship, we will not only mature in Christlikeness, but share in God’s holiness.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for opening my eyes to the disciplined life of hardship. Thank you for revealing to me once again that the hardships that I’m facing are not meant to destroy me, but lead me to greater levels of peace. I choose to submit to your Spirit in the disciplines, so that I might truly live and share in your holiness.