We can love and not like.  

I love being alone. To ponder, pray, and write. I cherish my solitude. I need it. But I don’t like being alone when the 123 year old cottage I live in makes noises at night and I want to hear someone laughing with me at the movie I’m watching. I love rain. I love watching it fall and hearing the sound of it against the windows and the metal roof when I’m falling asleep. But I don’t like driving in it or being soaked by it, especially when it’s cold. Most of all, I love God. But I don’t like the trials and challenges that come with growing up spiritually. God is a perfect Father, and discipline is proof of His perfect love for us. 

Being punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening—it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character. (Hebrews 12:11) 

O Lord, your discipline is good and leads to life and health. (Isaiah 38:16)

Happy is the one whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. (Job 5:17) 

Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions. (Psalm 94:12)

We might not like the difficult parts of our journey, but the strength, joy, and peace beyond them is worth every stumbling step, silent tear, and hard-fought lesson learned. And there’s nothing more fulfilling than being loved like that.