No Useless Blow

I was anything but an easy child. My strong-willed and stubborn character often got me into a lot of trouble. I still remember the tears of frustration I often shed when once again I had to be sent to my room. I thought life was totally unfair, and sometimes even wondered if my parents loved me. How could somebody who claims to love me, punish me so often? As a child it was so easy to forget all the wonderful things my parents did for me especially while being punished. How could I forget all the back rubs, family walks, story time, kitchen fun, and hugs I got so frequently? How could I forget the times my mom or dad would tiptoe into my room while I was on "timeout" and tell me that they love me? How could I forget how my parents sacrificed so much to make my life here on earth sweet and cheerful?

Unfortunately we so often feel the same way about God as we may have about our parents. I truly don't enjoy rebuke, and being "refined". It is an uncomfortable, and humiliating process, and sometimes I am tempted to think that God does not love me. When trials come my way I am often so quick to complain. I can only imagine the pain this causes the One who gave everything in order that I may be freed from the snare of sin. He gave up His most precious Possession, so that I don't have to stay who I am for the rest of my life. Why not praise Him for taking the painstaking effort to remold, refine, and smooth my rough edges, instead of complaining about the unpleasantness of the process?

I read a quote the other day that really struck home:

"It may be that much work needs to be done . . . , that you are a rough stone, which must be squared and polished before it can fill a place in God's temple. You need not be surprised if with hammer and chisel God cuts away the sharp corners of your character until you are prepared to fill the place He has for you. No human being can accomplish this work. Only by God can it be done. And be assured that He will not strike one useless blow. His every blow is struck in love, for your eternal happiness. He knows your infirmities and works to restore, not to destroy. "

This quote puts my sinful heart to shame. How could I doubt His love? His every blow is struck in love, for my eternal happiness. May I choose to remember everything He does for me, and when I need to go through the refining fire, or be chiseled and molded, may I praise Him for seeing something worth refining in me. Our God is a God of love, and He never strikes one useless blow. May we trust this most incredible promise!