Endure Your Trials as Discipline

In today’s second reading, we hear that we are to endure our trials as discipline, and that discipline, while appearing painful, brings forth the fruit of righteousness for those who accept it. In other words, short-term pain for long-term gain. 

Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems to be a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. –Hebrews 12:5-7

On the whole, I am a rather disciplined person in many areas of my life. I have no issue keeping a responsible schedule, doing my duties, and keeping a healthy routine. But when it comes to my opportunities for improvement relative to overcoming my most dominant vices, I can be stubborn in accepting the discipline God gives me – especially when He wants me to fast from something. Why? Because it seems like God is taking away some of the “joy” and comfort in my life, and adding a little more pain.

But the truth is that nothing in this world that’s a vice really gives us joy at the end of the day. Vice is an imposter. It often suggests it will give you joy, but really, it’s just a temporary dopamine fix and then you regret it later.

That’s why God disciplines us. Because He loves us and what we think gives us joy really doesn’t in the longer term. We are made for true joy, peace, and righteousness. God knows the discipline we need to obtain that fruit in our lives.

Our task? Be the obedient son or daughter. Endure, suffer, and accept the discipline God gives you knowing it is producing something much richer in the process.