The Abstract Moment: External and Internal Gain

Growing up with my brother, I always tried to stay out of trouble because I hated getting hit and I hated punishment even more.  In the Christian walk punishment or discipline is inevitable and beneficial.  In Hebrews 12:11, the author writes, “discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it”. The connotation is, enduring pain will reap benefits later. Think of it as exercise in the gym, it’s painful now, but soon you will have an external and internal gain.