Is God Punishing Me?

Have you ever gone through a season of trials and tribulations and thought, “Is God punishing me? Has He turned his back on me?”

 Our pain may cause us to think that we are being punished by God, but the truth found in the Bible offers us peace, hope and joy even in suffering. Here are a few scriptures to help you reconnect to God when you feel as though He is punishing you.
 

1. God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6) – Because He cares for His children, He let's us face the natural consequences of our character defects and sin. It doesn't mean that He's stopped loving us-- quite the opposite! All we need to do is humbly ask for forgiveness and accept what He is teaching us. This helps us to become more like Him.
    
2. Light and temporary affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17) – The Spirit of God inspired Apostle Paul, whose passion for the Kingdom of God led him to go through incredible suffering at times, to write that our pain is light and temporary in comparison to the great joy we look forward to in Heaven with Jesus. This doesn't minimize our suffering, but it magnifies the glory we will experience in eternity!
   
   When you grieve, God grieves with you and for you. But remember that He will one day wipe away every tear. The redemption that awaits you is beyond your wildest dreams.
    
3. “It is finished!” (John 19:30) – Hanging from the cross, Jesus cried out these words as He gave up His Spirit. These words tell us that the punishment for sin, the wrath of God, was already poured out on Jesus for all those who believe in Him. Justice has been served and the debt we owe has been paid by God’s sinless Son.
   
   As believers in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, we don’t need to fear punishment for our sin– Jesus has taken care of it. This grace allows us to come running to our Heavenly Father whenever we suffer, whenever we mess up, and whenever we have any kind of need. He will never turn His back on those who believe.

 Be encouraged by the good news of Jesus Christ– that because He was forsaken on the cross, you can receive His righteousness, access to the throne of the Father, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 Join us for worship this Sunday to celebrate what our God has done and is continuing to do in His Kingdom. We meet at Artserve, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, 33304. Doors open at 10:15 a.m., and service begins at 10:30 a.m.

 We hope to see you soon!