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February 9, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n Recognizing God\u2019s Love in Our Temper Tantrums<\/strong><\/span> Lee en espa\u00f1ol<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c\u2018because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.\u2019 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?\u201d Hebrews 12:6-7 (NIV)<\/em><\/p>\n Several months ago, I had a temper tantrum with God during my morning commute. It wasn\u2019t pretty. Picture a middle-aged woman yelling, crying, and complaining in her car by herself.<\/p>\n My rant was the by-product of a hard situation I was experiencing. It felt unfair and impossible to resolve. Like most people in hardship, I didn\u2019t want to go through it. So I decided to let God know.<\/p>\n I literally yelled, \u201cI am so frustrated with You!\u201d As if that was going to make a difference. It didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n What I failed to realize in the midst of my frenzy is that hardship is often a vehicle God uses to discipline those He loves, or a way He refines and strengthens our faith. As Hebrews 12:6-7 says, \u201c\u2018The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.\u2019 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n In the Greek, the words for \u201cdiscipline\u201d<\/em> and \u201chardship\u201d<\/em> in these verses come from paideia,<\/em> which can also mean \u201ctraining.\u201d God not only comforts us and redeems our hardships (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), but He also instructs and trains us.<\/p>\n Trials like the loss of a job, a challenging parenting season, caring for aging parents, or even betrayal are all types of hardships God may allow in our lives, but in those hardships, He is near. He tests our faith, grows our character, and teaches us valuable lessons. He does this not to be mean but to be loving.<\/p>\n Yet as we endure hardship, it doesn\u2019t feel like love. The temptation is to feel abandoned, hurt, and unloved. But today\u2018s key verses remind us hardship can ultimately strengthen our faith in a way that confirms\u00a0<\/em>God\u2019s lavish and abundant love for us.<\/p>\n It is not always ease that displays the love of God \u2014 sometimes it\u2019s the overwhelming, uncomfortable, and difficult things God allows us to go through. These are all places where His love meets us. He is committed to making sure we grow in Christlike character, and He cultivates us even through discipline and hardship.<\/p>\n This requires that we reframe our understanding of God\u2019s love. His love is not limited to what we perceive to be good and pleasant but is also apparent in what we see as hardship. He loves us in the midst of our trials and in spite of our tantrums. This is His encouragement to me and you.<\/p>\n Heavenly Father, help me to remember that even when I experience hardships in life, You are demonstrating Your love toward me.\u00a0<\/em>In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we believe God\u2019s Word isn\u2019t just something to know \u2014 it\u2019s something to live out.<\/em> But in a world filled with conflicting messages and overwhelming pressures, many women don\u2019t know where to turn for guidance they can trust. That\u2019s why Therapy & Theology<\/em> is such an important part of all God is doing: It helps women apply biblical Truth to real circumstances in real time. And right now, the need is growing. More women than ever are searching for steady, Scripture-rooted wisdom to help them navigate anxiety, heartbreak, confusion, and everyday decisions. That\u2019s why your support matters now.<\/em> When you give, you help ensure women everywhere can access teaching that brings clarity, hope, and direction. Your gift today paves the way for women not only to know God\u2019s Word \u2014 but to live it<\/strong> out boldly no matter what they\u2019re walking through. Thank you for helping make more ministry \u2014 just like Encouragement for Today<\/em> Devotions and Therapy & Theology<\/em> \u2014 possible.<\/p>\n Join Kia on her YouTube channel as she shares more on the topic of \u201cRecognizing God\u2019s Love in Our Temper Tantrums.\u201d You can also connect with Kia on Instagram and learn more about her book,\u00a0Overcoming Father Wounds<\/em>, on her website.<\/p>\n Proverbs 3:11-12, \u201cMy son, do not despise the LORD\u2019s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in\u201d (NIV).<\/p>\n How do you see the love of God in the hardships you have experienced?<\/p>\n How might God be using discipline to mature you in Christlike character? We\u2019d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 by Kia Stephens. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Photo credit: \u00a9GettyImages\/MangoStar_Studio<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs 31 Ministries
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