INTRODUCTION: When God judges His people, He never dispenses punishment as an end in itself but as a means to an end.  Hebrews 12:5-13 [5] And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: [6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? [8] But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. [9] Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? [10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. [11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. [12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; [13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
See All... expounds this truth as clearly as any passage in scripture.  When faced with chastisement. We either 1)despise our condition or 2)despair of recovery (and thereby "faint" - Hebrews 12:5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
See All...). If you are under chastisement, take to heart these steps of obedience as suggested by this passage.

1. STEPS OF OBEDIENCE
1. Accept your condition as God's right to deal with your life as He sees fit (Hebrews 12:5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
   See All...).  The dullest warrior is he who deems it his right to fight against God. – “despise not”
2. Determine to press on until God accomplishes His will in your life (Hebrews 12:5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
   See All...).  Quitters only fail.  Their fainting does not relieve their misery.  Press on!  "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
   See All...). – “nor faint”
3. Recognize God's chastisement as proof of God's love and an indication of your sonship (Hebrews 12:6-8 [6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? [8] But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
   See All...).  If He allowed you to prosper in rebellion, He would be showing hatred instead of love. You are never nearer the love of God than when at the wrong end of His correction rod. – “whom the Lord loveth”
4. Actively submit to God's working in your life (Hebrews 12:9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
   See All...).  Willingly come under His yoke for it is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
   See All...). “be in subjection”
5. Take advantage of the "profit" of chastening (Hebrews 12:10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
   See All...) for by it we learn holiness.  The hotter the fire, the greater the chance of permanent change in our character.  Work with God and not against Him. – “for our profit”
6. Look beyond the chastisement to the time of joy (Hebrews 12:11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
   See All...).  God has promised "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" as the reward of enduring chastisement.  We can trust in His promises.  "[W]eeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
   See All...). – “afterward it yieldeth”
7. Shake yourself out of your dejection and self-pity (Hebrews 12:12-13 [12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; [13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
   See All...).  "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet" (Hebrews 12:12-13 [12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; [13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
   See All...).  Remember, the biggest fight a Christian has is the inner battle to surrender to God.  Pick yourself up and "revenge all disobedience" (2 Corinthians 10:6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
   See All...; see also 7:11
   See All...).
8. Let God heal your spirit (Hebrews 12:13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
   See All...).  Sometimes we defeat God's purpose in our lives by holding on to defeat, dejection or bitterness--thus the warning against the "root of bitterness" (Hebrews 12:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
   See All...).  You have been injured for your own good.  Now is the time to "let it rather be healed" (Hebrews 12:13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
   See All...). – “let it rather be healed”