The dictionary defines the word chastisement as punishment by inflicting pain. In this sense of the word Jesus already bore our chastisement - our pain - on the cross.
 
But the Greek word translated "chastisement" in the New Testament actually means to instruct or to train. So how does God instruct and train us? To clearly understand the answer to this question, we must keep in mind that God, as our heavenly Father, is the Father of our reborn spirit, not our flesh. Therefore, He must instruct and teach us on a spiritual level.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If [you] endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if [you are] without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 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?
(Heb. 12:6-9)

Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). Our fleshly fathers correct us in the flesh, but God is a spirit and He uses spiritual tools, not carnal tools. He uses spiritual weapons (Heb. 4:12). How does He do this? With His Word! Jesus said, My Words are spirit. (See John 6:63.)

Every Scripture is God-breathed - given by His inspiration - and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness...So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim. 3:16-17, AMP)

The Lord chastises His own with the Scriptures. Put yourself in subjection to the Word. The sword of the Spirit - the Word of God - is two-edged. One side trims away our flesh and lusts and the other side sanctifies us.
 
Let's look at some examples of this. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 7:8-9,

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner....

This is the way in which God convicts, brings repentance, chastens His own, and corrects us with His Word. He sent His Word to the church at Corinth, and it hurt so badly they would have preferred to be beaten with a stick! They knew how to handle sickness and disease, but when God reprimanded them with His Word, it cut deep into their spirits and they were repentant. His Word chastens unbelief and purifies the human spirit in such a way that we come out strong - not weak and condemned. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). Proverbs 17:10 in The Amplified Bible says, "A reproof enters deeper into one of understanding than a hundred lashes into a [self-confident] fool."
 
You know, it seems that some people have an overwhelming desire to believe the worst from God. Some will fight to prove that God afflicted them. Instead, we should refuse to believe that our Heavenly Father would hurt us, even though we may not know all the circumstances. It may look as though He is behind it, but we should refuse to fall for that. We know He sent His Son to die for us, so let's not hesitate for one moment and give Satan the opportunity to move in on us.
 
Choose Life
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deut. 30:19). The choice is yours: either life or death, blessing or cursing. Jesus said, "My words are life." (See John 6:63.) Proverbs 4:20-22 says to attend to the words of God "For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."

In order to choose life and blessing you will have to choose the Word of God, for it is life! You will have to become Word-minded instead of trouble-minded, and life-minded instead of death-minded. You will have to become single-minded on the Word of God. When you become Word-minded, you begin to realize that He Who raised Jesus from the dead is residing in you, and He Who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

John 10:10 is the dividing line between life and death. The thief, Satan, comes only to kill, to steal and to destroy. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

Pray this prayer of confession to acknowledge your decision to choose life and stand on the Word of God:

Today I will be single-minded. I make the decision to choose life and blessing. I decide to win and overcome. Because I've made this decision, I come out on top! I know there are times when I will have to stand and be patient and consistent in the Word of God and I will be - for I know the truth and the truth sets me free. The Word of God says the Holy Spirit dwells within me and He will bear witness with my spirit. He will teach me all things, guide me into all truth and show me those things which are to come. Today I hold up the shield of faith - which quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And today I stand with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, for it is life. I have chosen life!
 Excerpt permission granted by Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka: Kenneth Copeland Ministries