(emphasis mine)
In your struggle against sin, you have NOT YET resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

The song, "The Boxer", by Simon & Garfunkel, speaks of a boy who left home early, running scared, and looking for shelter in the alleys. As the song progresses through his tough life, he emerges from the challenges, a fighter. I relate to these lyrics: “In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade. And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him till he cried out in his anger and his pain, ‘I am leaving, I am leaving’ … but the fighter still remains.”

Have you ever felt like a boxer taking blows in life? It seems like they come one after another. And they are brutal. The people around you jeer at worst, or at best stay silent in action; and only a few help.

I have felt like this at times. Sometimes it is just my perspective when I am down, but other times it is real.

I relate to this song on a few levels. While never hungry or homeless, I have dealt with some milder hardships. And every time it seems that all is falling in around me, I push on and trust God and he definitely shows up and helps me get up and get in the fight again. It says here in Hebrews that we have not struggled YET to the point of shedding blood. The implication is that someday we might just be called on to shed our blood for the sake of Christ. Am I ready to trust God that far? How will I ready and steady myself?

Is God disciplining me? It is, at times, hard to know whether it is persecution or discipline. Either way, my response is to seek what he wants me to learn and how he wants to grow my faith.

Sometimes, I just want things to resolve and to see the rewards of my labor — the fruits. God understands this too. I feel like he is whispering in my ear, “My Son, I know it is hard. Just keep trusting me. I am about to do something incredible in your midst. Just keep the faith, keep serving, keep working hard. You’ll see!”

So as I endure some minor hardships, God calls me to remember: 1) Who I am in him, and 2) Who he is to me. He is my compassionate Father and my almighty and wise God. HE WINS IN THE END and I am his child, on his team — the winning team! I need to trust and obey.

Lord Jesus, here I am, STILL STANDING, despite some bruises and scars. And I am still pushing forward, by your strength. Help me to look to you and my future hope in heaven. I know you have great things in store for me. Keep me grounded in you and faithful. I am going to keep getting up, keep showing up, and keep seeking to see you work.