An encouragement to us as we run the race of faith is that we are a child of God. He is our Father. He provides for us what we need, and loves us more fully than we would imagine. But as a Father, he gives discipline- hardships that He allows to enter our lives. He does not do this callously or menacingly, but He does this from a place of closeness and deep relationship. He has our best interests at heart as he delights in us as his children who have been made righteous in His eyes through what He gave for us in Jesus.