3 Things to Help: It's Only a Test
Posted: Friday, July 24, 2009
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
Adjust your thinking if you are having doubt. Change your mindset. Do not give up. Discard negative thoughts about the struggles you have had over the past few months. It's only a test. It is not a season you are going through but a test. There is a difference.
A test is the span of time between two seasons. Tests are transitional phases wherein seasons are cyclical and subject to change only after a designated time.
You have called out to God in prayer and wonder if anybody's home. Nothing. Silence. Remember during an actual test in school, the teacher's always silent. The teacher is in the classroom with you and not only hears you but sees you, too. It is exactly the same with God. He hears and sees you but you are taking a test. Your challenge is to pass.
Everything you have read, been taught and have learned is being put before you in the form of your present circumstances. To help pass the test, you must have perfect recall or you could fail. Fail is used softly not harshly. God is always for us. We are more apt to see our shortcomings as failures, I believe, than He is.
Here are three things to provide comfort when going through a test:
1. God's Grace is sufficiency
2. God's timetable
3. God's purpose
Our circumstances do not change us, they simply expose us. Tests are evidence that we belong to God and that He is with us. Do not be deceived by what is seen with your eyes. Keep the faith. Keep believing and through all things, give Him praise. It's only a test.
July 2009 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for New Life
A test is the span of time between two seasons. Tests are transitional phases wherein seasons are cyclical and subject to change only after a designated time.
Everything you have read, been taught and have learned is being put before you in the form of your present circumstances. To help pass the test, you must have perfect recall or you could fail. Fail is used softly not harshly. God is always for us. We are more apt to see our shortcomings as failures, I believe, than He is.
Here are three things to provide comfort when going through a test:
1. God's Grace is sufficiency
God will strengthen us through our affliction. Remember Paul with a problem so big, he referred to it as a thorn in the flesh? By the time God finished with him, he was boasting about hardships and welcoming them! (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
2. God's timetable
God's timing is always right. A certain hour, day or week, He'll know enough is enough and your test will be over. Joseph's story is a perfect example. Joseph went from a pit, into slavery, to prison, into his own palace. (Genesis Chapters 37-45)
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
3. God's purpose
There is a purpose for our tests. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
We pray for more faith, wisdom, knowledge, patience, understanding etc. It's been often said we must be careful what we ask God for because His ways are not ours. If you ask for money, a check may or may not come in the mail but an idea will come to you. It could be to sell something on eBay that you no longer care to have.
There is an internal purpose. He is doing something on the inside of us to conform us into the image of His son. (Romans 8:29) The test is to change whatever is inside us that is not like the Christ. Different circumstances, tough times, for example, will reveal what is inside of us that needs to be changed. We may have professed to have faith and the test will make us exercise it, thus, strengthening us.
We pray for more faith, wisdom, knowledge, patience, understanding etc. It's been often said we must be careful what we ask God for because His ways are not ours. If you ask for money, a check may or may not come in the mail but an idea will come to you. It could be to sell something on eBay that you no longer care to have.
There is an internal purpose. He is doing something on the inside of us to conform us into the image of His son. (Romans 8:29) The test is to change whatever is inside us that is not like the Christ. Different circumstances, tough times, for example, will reveal what is inside of us that needs to be changed. We may have professed to have faith and the test will make us exercise it, thus, strengthening us.
Our circumstances do not change us, they simply expose us. Tests are evidence that we belong to God and that He is with us. Do not be deceived by what is seen with your eyes. Keep the faith. Keep believing and through all things, give Him praise. It's only a test.
July 2009 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for New Life
This Article has been viewed 2,120 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)"Our circumstances do not change us, they simply expose us". What a great way to finish a great article. Very well-written and I think if we all realize this truth, a happier and better world we would have. Thanks for writing this.Michael, thank you for reading and commenting on this article. I appreciate both so very much! They've blessed me. I pray the article will bless others. Take special care!
What a wonderful piece of work Avis. I love the way you put about the silent teacher in the classroom. I never thought about it like that but I will from now on. This article has made me feel good and I thank you for that feeling Avis. I have been needing a pick me up for some time now.Keep wellKacy"This article has made me feel good and I thank you for that feeling Avis. I have been needing a pick me up for some time now."
This is why I write these type of articles, Kacy. I know the ideas and words aren't mine. I say thank you very much and also, thank you, Father. You're on another continent and was comforted by these words. You've made me smile a teary-eyed smile.
My best my lady,
Avis
*warm hug*
hi avis,the last line made me think of the commercial, "this is just a test"we have to listen for a couple of minutes, and then, move on. When God tests us, we have to listen, do what we have to do to change and improve, and then move on.tain't necessarily easy, but it is so.i've always been glad i've had a "silent" teacher in my life, letting me know in one way or the other how to improve the quality of my life.thanks for sharing this,my best to you,sueNo, it 'taint easy but you're so right, Sue. Hi there, hoping you're great! Thanks for reading and your insightful comments. I think of TV, too I guess it's a test of the Heavenly Broadcast System? *laughing*
My best regards,
Avis
Hey Sistah A! This is brilliant, thank you for the encouraging Scriptures! Hugs, Sistah THey, while I was commenting you - you were commenting me! Thanks, Sistah T! I'm humbled and gracious. All praise, honor and glory goes heavenward!
Love,
Sistah A
"Do not give up. Discard negative thoughts." Yes. You are correct. It will definitely break your spirit listening to negative thoughts and the ones with negative thoughts are going no farther than their thoughts of negativity. One thing for sure Avis, you keep me in rememberance. Thanks againThank you very much, Doc! I appreciate the encouragement and support!
Perfect timing Avis. Thank you.Brianna, you're welcome and I thank you for reading and commenting on this article.
Yes Avis, I believe I've been put through test before. Sometimes these test can be difficult but I was prepared for them. "good article""But I was prepared." That's what I wish others to get from this article, as well, David. We can be prepared. You are wonderful to share that, thank you!! I hope many others read your comment. I wish it was included in the article.
Avis,Once again you have your finger on the pulse of all that's important. Interesting just last night I was speaking before 100-plus college age students at a forum about challenges and difficulties etc. Many came up to me after saying that what I told them was just what they needed to hear. There are so many out there suffering and suffering from a lack of true knowledge and encouragement. Keep encouraging, sister! Oh, by the way. Would you like to be interviewed on my radio show? I have one now. Let me know. Peace!A warm thank you, Jeff. I humbly accept your comments with much appreciation. Congrats on your show! And, thank you for the invitation which I most definitely will not refuse and will schedule it with you as soon as I'm able. It's a time restraint just now. I'm excited for you, Jeff. I know it'll go well!Not a problem. Won't be until Sept., Oct. Whenever you're ready. Should be a blast. Maybe we'll do a whole hour. What say yee? Peace!I say you got a deal! :)
Peace, Love and Joy!
Wow! A very powerful and absolutely relevant article, Avis!p.s. I hope I can tune in on your interview by Jeff!!Thank you for the "wow" dear Ken! You know I appreciate your encouragement, always. I'm also planning to read the Amulet. I just haven't gotten started, yet. I've got lots of catching up to do, I know!
And when that interview is scheduled, I'll make sure you know. I'm honored you're interested! Thanks for that, too!
Happy Day!!
Lovely - 3 expressions using. Certainly, when are violent, talking and acting, we set our direction in the physical world to play with thoughts of attachment, enmity and tension of a lot with our selfishness. As our thoughts, our body language expresses pleasure or displeasure. Of course, when silent, listening and observing or prayer, our selfishness is released from our entanglement with the world in our thoughts and fixed in our consciousness that is God's house. In this situation, our body language expresses the serenity of the energy of the Lord who has absorbed all the afflictions of our minds.He who has learned these lovely thoughts in heart, take all the tests of life given by the lord, and live life happy and fun in every physical situation."He who has learned these lovely thoughts in heart, take all the tests of life given by the lord, and live life happy and fun in every physical situation."
Thank you for your comment on this article! I had to quote you. I agree wholeheartedly.
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