Every Christian goes through struggles in life that test us. Even Jesus Himself was tested by Satan in the wilderness right after His baptism. My first real test of faith came just two years after I accepted Christ. My mother died from leukemia after many prayers for her healing. I was only thirteen and could not understand why God didn’t answer my prayers or hers because I knew her faith was strong. As I get older the tests seem to be coming one right after another. Maybe it is because time is passing faster; or maybe because my increased faith is met with increased resistance. Right now, I’m in the middle of another big challenge testing me and threatening my home.
Many people have written about those tests of life. So many that it is hard to tell who said what first, so I will just go with “anonymous” for these. “The difference between school and life is that in school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” “There is no victory without a battle; no testimony without a test; and no miracle without an impossible circumstance.” “When you’re going through something difficult and you wonder where God is, remember the teacher is always quiet during the test.” “If God brought you to it, He will bring you through it.”
What does scripture say about life’s trials and tests? “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” (Proverbs 17:3) The Psalmist asked to be tested. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Psalms 139:23) “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.” (Psalms 26:2) It takes a lot of confidence to offer ourselves to be examined by God and put to the test like that. It is the Apostle Paul who gives us the most hope that we can get through the tests successfully. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Whatever happens in your life, be confident that God is with you and will bring you out of the storm, tested and victorious. He will provide answers we never thought of and open doors we didn’t even know existed, even when we have brought the problem onto ourself.