Hebrews 12:11 (NKJV):"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Every sensible and caring parent knows the importance of disciplining their children. As children of God, we all face the temptation to do things our way, instead of yielding to the voice and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. As a result, the consequences of our disobedience to His will can render more hurt and trouble than we bargained for. For instance, when we choose to hold onto unforgiveness, even when we know holding a grudge is against God's will - the bitterness it develops in our lives causes more pain and suffering than we can bear. When the Holy Spirit convicts us, the truth can be painful too, and our surrendering to His will to forgive and walk in love towards those who disappointed us can be extremely difficult at first. However, the peace and joy that comes from doing what is right, no matter how painful at the time, cannot be compared to the harm and damage our unchecked disobedience would bring. The choice to embrace God's discipline will always result in a life personally trained by the Holy Spirit, yielding excellence of character and a reputation well worth investing in.