Many believers struggle with guilt and fear, wondering if the hardships they face are God’s punishment for sin. The truth of the gospel is this: all punishment for sin fell on Jesus at the cross, once for all. Hardship is never God punishing His children. Instead, trials may come through natural consequences, a broken world, or the enemy’s attacks—but never as divine punishment. In Christ, God relates to us as loving sons and daughters, not condemned sinners. He does, however, lovingly use life’s challenges to teach, train, and shape us for greater strength and fruitfulness. In this two-part series, discover the difference between punishment and discipline, and walk in the confidence of God’s unfailing love.
Part 1: When Bad Things Happen: Not God’s Punishment