Discipline

"Because the theme of spiritual warfare has been such a strong fad in the Christian community for a number of years, too many of God's people see everything negative in that light. But if you can't tell the difference between spiritual warfare and God's discipline of His children, you're in serious trouble.
Why is that?

Because so often we forget the clear truth in Hebrews 12:5: 'For whom the LORD loves he chastens, and scourages every son whom he receives' The God of the universe chastens and scourages every one of his children- and He does it because of His love for them. And it isn't some light slap on the hand correction- but rather something that is indeed painful.

Would it then not be important for us to understand what this discipline is like, and why He does it- so we're able to recognize it when it happens to us? Otherwise, in the spiritual climate of today, when we encounter that painful discipline we'll simply think the devil is responsible for it, instead of realizing this is what God Himself is doing.

...So we need to be very consiously aware of the seriousness of attributing the activity of our Father God to Satan. If we keep on blaming everything negative or painful in our lives on the devil, then we may very well miss the good and loving work of discipline and training God seeks to accomplish in our lives"
-Experience the cross by Henry T. Blackby