Punish or Redeem?

In First Timothy 1:20, Paul in writing to Timothy says that he has given, "Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme." On the face this can seem as a harsh move by Paul, however he had redemption in mind. It was Paul's desire that these men be
in such a position that they would once again seek God and return to their faith.
This verse leads me to ask two questions of myself. First, why is it always easier to punish than redeem? Unfortunately, at our core, punishment makes us feel good. It seems to satisfy the feeling that we have of being put upon by another. Punishment doesn't often make a person better, just more careful. Redemption on the other hand is hard. It takes forgiveness. It takes putting ourselves last behind the best interest of another. It means we may not experience the perceived justice we think we are due. But the result may mean that a person becomes closer to God and useful to the Kingdom and others. Second, what is God's nature? Though God has punished evil people throughout history, His nature is redemption. That is what the cross is all about. That is why we have the opportunity to have a relationship with God. God's nature is that all of us are redeemed to His Kingdom.
When I am tempted to punish, I need to be reminded of this passage in First Timothy. I need to remember that since God's nature is redemption, that must be my nature as well.