Testing

 I’ve spent much of my life in school. 9 years of elementary school, 4 years of high school, 4 years of college, one year for my Master’s degree, 2 years for my pre-med courses, and 4 years of medical school. I’ve taken a lot of tests over the years, some of them stressful, others pretty easy. I never questioned the idea of taking tests. I’ve actually found them useful because they forced me to really try to understand the concepts that I was supposed to be learning.

 The object of the tests we take is not for us to fail but to help us grow in the knowledge of whatever subject we are learning. They help us understand where we need to improve. In the same way, the trials in our lives serve a purpose. God doesn’t allow them to occur in order for us to fail the test but to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Him. As Peter wrote to the early Christians who were being persecuted, “For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith…..may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

 

Just as in school, some people fail spiritually when confronted with the trials of life. Jesus said in the parable of the sower and the seed, “[The seed that fell on rock] are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away” (Luke 8:13). We need to be rooted in God’s word and in a growing personal relationship with Him in order to withstand the trials that we all have to face at one time or another.

 

Jesus told His disciples about the trials they would experience, and tells us as well, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

 

If you are going through trying times, draw closer to God and allow Him to draw closer to you. Feel His love, experience the strengthening and guidance of His Spirit, and open yourself up to the Lordship of Jesus in every area of your life.

 

We’ll talk more about this next week.