Do not reject the discipline of the Lord, and do not be weary of his warnings (Proverbs 3:11)
Many Christians must be beaten with love in order to grow. Although heavenly Father never allows His children to experience unnecessary suffering, sometimes He allows them to endure a violent blow to become mature believers.
The need for bad weather to stimulate growth can be seen in our natural surroundings. Scientists say that the seeds of some desert bush must be destroyed by storms in order to germinate. The seeds are covered with a hard shell that keeps water out. This allows them to lie resting on the sand for several seasons until conditions are right for growth.
When the heavy rain finally came, the little seeds were carried away by the flash flood. They slammed into the sand, gravel and rocks as they hurtled down the cliffs. Finally they came to a low land. There the ground was wet several inches deep. Only then do they begin to grow, because the water droplets have been absorbed through the nicks and tears they experience when they fall.
Likewise hardships may be needed to awaken a sleeping saint. It may be painful for a moment, but if we surrender to God, we will find that the marks of bruises in life can mark the beginning of spiritual progress. We may prefer to be seeds, but He wants us to become trees that bear much fruit.- MRD
NO SUCCESS WITHOUT SUFFERING
*) Take from Daily Meditation