Photo taken in Utah.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Loving Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you for Your multifaceted role as my Heavenly Father. Often I see You as Redeemer, Savior, and Friend, which is important and true about You. However, just as an earthly father does, You desire to be a big part of my life when it comes to directing and correcting me to do what is ultimately best for me.

Sometimes it can be difficult to see how You use problems and hardships as a loving correction rather than what sometimes seems like purposeless pain. Hebrews 12:6-7 “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?”

I ask that You develop in me a good perspective of what is expressed in verse 11 about my times of trial and correction. May I accept it gratefully as the appropriate response toward a loving Heavenly Father. “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.”

As difficult as some of these situations may be to develop Christian maturity in me, may all of Your loving training for me also be an example of encouragement for believers around me who may be weak and struggling to believe, follow, and mature in Christ.

In Jesus’ Name, thank you for conforming me more and more to the likeness of Jesus through Your loving process. Amen.