Painful, not Pleasant, Yet Purposeful and Peaceful.

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 11)

The temptation to give up and drop out.  Many of it know it well. Not only when it comes to school or sports or some skill we just cannot seem to master, but especially spiritual growth.  Sometimes we struggle in following Christ, as God tells us to throw off some sin, swallow our pride, serve, or sacrifice in some way the things of this world for our sanctification.  The Christian life at times may seem like an endurance race - not just to get to cross the finish line, but to get there.  The preacher calls our attention to three things that should motivate us. First, what Christ has done - He shed His blood for us - there is no greater love. Second, who we are - we are God's children, whom He disciplines out of His love. Third, where we are heading - it is not just a place, but a presence, where there will be complete peace, holiness, and life. May we not grow faint and weary, but press on in following Christ. Don't ever give up.