My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights. -Proverbs 3:12-13

The best changes in my life have always come around when God chastened me for some great sin that I committed. It always hurt, but it always brought me closer to God than ever I was before. You know that you have experienced the chastening of the Lord when you are humbled for it, and instantly thankful for it, despite the pain of it.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -2 Cor. 12:9

When we are corrected we are made aware of our weaknesses and we are made to rely upon God’s grace. Being corrected by God does not necessarily mean you will be perfect after, but it does mean you will be humble enough to rely upon God’s power, strength, and grace to continue forward.

Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the inner depths of the heart. -Proverbs 20:30

It is the blows that hurt which cleanse away evil. If you are going through God’s correction be encouraged that it is because He loves you, and that He is changing the inner depths of your heart. Trust in His grace, for it is sufficient. Rely on His strength, for it is made perfect in your weakness. As you go through this time of correction, know that you will emerge refined –and more importantly more deeply in love with, and aware of your need of, your savior Jesus Christ.