Reforming the Feminine ContentI Think God is Punishing Me
#8: ”I think God is punishing me.”
Romans 8:1 teaches that, since Christ bore all of our punishment on the cross, we no longer bear any condemnation from God for our sins. Everything that God does toward us now is evidence of His love, mercy, and grace, for His justice has been completely fulfilled through Christ.
So what do we make of the hard circumstances God allows in our lives? God constantly works negative things for our good and His glory.
The story of Job is the classic example of God allowing horrible circumstances in the life of a believer DESPITE his uprightness of character and obedience. According to Job 1, it is because of Job’s righteous character that he is picked for this burden. Satan accuses Job of obeying God only because God is good to Job. If God brings hardship to Job, Satan believes Job will reject God. So Job’s story is about proving God’s worthiness to Satan. In hardship or blessing, trial or glory, God is worthy of praise and adoration. Like Paul’s sufferings, God is working in your life to make known to heavenly powers that He is worthy of praise.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…
Job 1:20-22 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Ephesians 3:10-13 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Administrator’s note: this is “common question/concern” #8 that Deacon Wendy Alsup answers for ladies who are struggling with their singleness. See the “Singleness” category for her article and other questions answered.
I should also point out that the Bible distinguishes between punishment and discipline in a way that our culture does not. Christ bore the full weight of our punishment for sins on the cross. But our Father still disciplines us. Discipline by definition is training in righteousness. Instead of God bringing hard things in our lives to make us pay for our sins, He allows hard things in our lives to transform us and train us in His good paths. Long hard seasons force us to focus on what we really believe to be true about God and root out actions more consistent with unbelief than authentic faith.