In our article titled, “Trials and Tribulations – the Testing of Your Faith,” we gave you all of the major verses from the Bible showing you that now only will God allow a certain amount of trials and tribulations to come our way in this life, but that He will also use some of these trials as a way of actually testing all of us out from time to time.
And one of the key areas in which God will arrange for a test to come your way in this life will be when you are getting ready to walk into the heart of your true calling for Him. This was a definite pattern of God the Father in both the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible.
If God is calling you to be a great pastor, a great Bible teacher, or a great evangelist, rest assured that you will have a big test coming your way right at the point that you are actually getting ready to walk right into that actual calling.
And when this test does come your way, it is absolutely imperative that you take this test very, very seriously, as it will determine whether or not God will actually promote and release you into your true calling for Him. Flunk this test and you will either lose the call all together, or you will cause a major delay to occur as to when you will be actually released to move into that calling.
Below I will give you 4 very powerful examples from the Bible where God the Father did this with 4 different people, with one of the tests actually being done to His very own Son, Jesus Christ Himself. And if God tested His very own Son with a specific test, then you can rest assured that He will test each one of you out if you have a specific type of calling in His perfect plan for your life.
Study and meditate on these 4 dramatic examples from our Bible very carefully, as each one of these tests were very severe and very trying for the actual people involved. The reason God is going to test you before your big, final breakthrough in Him is because He has to see if you got what it takes to actually make the grade in that specific calling for Him.
He will test your mettle out like they do in the army with all of their recruits. Pass this test and you will be finally promoted into God’s best for your life. Flunk this test, and you will either lose the call all together and then be forced to settle for God’s plan B for your life, or you will be demoted and set further back until you are ready to pass this kind of a test at a later date.
Now here are 4 very powerful and dramatic tests that God the Father had arranged for some of His people to pass back in both the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible.
4 Specific Tests From the Bible
1. The Obedience Test
The first test I will show you, and this one was very severe, is what I call the obedience test. This specific test was given to Abraham way back in the beginning of the Bible in the Book of Genesis.
Most of you have heard of this test. God asked Abraham to put his son Isaac on an altar and then asked him to take a knife and kill his own son. As we all know, Abraham went as far as to actually tie his son down to the altar and had the knife in his hand ready to strike down on him to take his life, when all of a sudden God sends an angel down in the nick of time to stop him.
How many of us could actually pass such an extreme test today, especially in the type of world we now live in where you would be immediately prosecuted if you even tried to do such a thing. I personally do not think God would ever do this type of test in our current day and age due to the extreme dangers of it.
But the point to get is that God may actually arrange for a test to occur to test your actual allegiance and obedience to Him. We have another article in our site titled “Obedience to the Lord.”
In this article, we give you all of the main verses from the Bible showing you the extreme importance that we fully obey every order and directive that we receive from the Lord in this life. If we cannot be fully obedient to the specific commands and leadings of the Holy Spirit, then God will not be able to use us in the actual callings that He has set up for our lives.
In the kind of world we now live in, this test will actually be hard for many to pass. The reason being is due to all of the material and lustful things that are out there competing for our time and attention. These material things will cause our flesh to want to try and act up, and once our flesh has been riled up, it will do everything it can to try and get its own way, even if it means disobeying God Himself.
That is why God will test you in this specific area – to see if you will have the strength and character in your personality to be able to override the desires of your flesh and ego, and be willing to obey God over all of your wants and desires for these material and lustful objects.
God will know where your jugular veins and weak spots will be on these kinds of tests, so He will probably arrange for these types of tests to target some of your weak and vulnerable spots, just like He did with Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his one and own only son at the time that this test was being set up.
God may ask you to give something or someone up. He may ask you to give up the job you are currently working at, or the person you are currently dating, as this person may not be the one that He has personally picked out to be your mate in this life.
But whatever God may be asking you to do for Him, realize that this is an obedience test being sent your way and that you must fully obey the Lord with whatever He will be asking you to do for Him. If you do not obey His specific directive, and you choose to follow your own desires on these kinds of issues, then God will not be able to use you in the specific calling that He has set up for your life.
If you can’t or won’t obey God with this specific command, then God will question and doubt your ability to fully obey Him further on down the road with anything else that He may be asking you to do for Him.
Bottom line – God is our Shepherd, and we as His sheep are to fully follow Him in this life and every single directive and command that He will be giving us along the way. The Bible tells us that we are to be led by the Holy Spirit in this life – not by our own wants and our own desires.
This test right here will determine who gets promoted into their true callings in the Lord and who does not. Abraham passed his test and you saw what happened to him as a result. He became the father of many nations and his bloodline was used as the bloodline that brought our Savior Jesus Christ into our world so He could go to the cross and save all of us from our sins.
Here is the verse that will tell you what the ramifications were as a result of Abraham perfectly obeying the voice of God on being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac:
“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have OBEYED My voice.” (Genesis 22:18)
If you want to enter into your true calling in the Lord, then get it settled right now in your mind and in your heart that you will fully obey the Lord with every specific thing that He will be asking you to do for Him in this life.
If you can agree to do things God’s way rather than your own way in this life, then you will be promoted into God’s best for your life, and you can then proceed to leave your mark in this world in the specific calling that He will be setting up for your life.
2. The Patience Test
Another type of test that God could pass your way right before your big breakthrough with Him is what I call the patience test. This is where you have done everything you have been asked to do, but now God is going to ask you to just sit and wait for the big breakthrough to occur.
A perfect example of this type of trying test in the Bible is the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. No sooner does Moses rescue and deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians, that they are then brought before the Red Sea with nowhere else for them to go or turn to.
The Promised Land is in the other side, but there is no way they can reach it unless God first parts the Red Sea.
And then what does God do next? Instead of immediately parting the Red Sea for all of them so they can quickly get to the other side, He causes all of them to sit and wait for awhile before He actually parts the Red Sea.
The children of Israel cannot move forward or else they will drown in the Red Sea. They cannot go backwards or else they wall fall back into slavery with the Egyptians, as the Egyptians are now starting to come back after them. They have no other choice but to just sit and wait for God to move to part the Red Sea.
The Bible does not say how long God made them wait before He parted the Red Sea. But we know it was long enough to really try their patience, as many of them started complaining to Moses about it. Some of them even went as far as stating they wanted to go back to Egypt, as they at least had food and shelter under the Egyptian rule.
This type of test could occur to some of you right before your big breakthrough with the Lord. What you will have to do is override your flesh and your own impatience, and simply rely on God’s peace through the Holy Spirit and God’s perfect timing as to when He will want to open up that door for you.
If you ever find yourself facing this kind of trying test, make sure that you do not let your impatience get the better of you and cause you to walk away from that door that you are sitting in front of – as that door could be opening up at anytime.
Stay put right where God currently has you at, and force yourself to wait until that door either opens up for you to walk through, or God tells you to do something different.
Again, what would have happened in this story of Moses if they would not have waited for God to part that Red Sea? What would have happened to the Jewish people as a nation and as a people if they would have gone back into slavery with the Egyptians if they would not have waited for this miraculous event to occur with the Lord?
The course of Jewish history could have been completely changed and altered forever if Moses would not have had enough patience to wait for God to part that Red Sea on the day that it actually occurred.
Your life is like a chessboard to the Lord. He is the One who will be making all of the major chess moves on your chess board.
Not only must you fully rely on God to make these chess moves in your life, but you must also rely on His perfect timing as to when He will be making all of these specific chess moves. One wrong move, or one move made at the wrong time could cause your whole call in God to completely unravel and fall apart.
3. The Faith and Belief Test
In my opinion, this next type of test may be the most trying and possibly the most severe. This is where God will be showing you what is on the other side of your true calling in Him.
When God does this, He may show you what some of the obstacles, roadblocks, and opposition may end up being. He may show you exactly what you will have to face. This is where you will be shown all of the Goliaths and strongholds that you may have to face and engage with once you cross over into the actual calling.
A perfect example of this type of test has to be with what God did with the children of Israel just after He had got done rescuing them from the Egyptians in the story of Moses. Shortly after delivering them from the Egyptians, He brought them right up to their Promised Land.
But instead of sending all of them immediately in, He sends in only 12 spies so they could first spy out the land so they could see exactly what they were going to have to face once they actually entered into this land.
And what happens next? 10 of the spies come back with a bad report. They come back telling the rest of the people that the people who dwell there were “strong,” that many of the cities were “fortified,” that it was a land that devoured its inhabitants, that all of the men they saw were of “great stature,” and that they were like grasshoppers in the face of these types of “giants.”
However, Joshua and Caleb, who were 2 of the 12 spies, came back with a different report. The saw the exact same things the other 10 spies saw, but they had a completely different outlook and perspective about all of it.
They had just seen God miraculously deliver them from the Egyptian rule, so they knew God would have no problems in taking out the giants and strongholds they saw in this Promised Land.
However, as a result of these other 10 spies coming back with this bad report, this kindled the anger of God and caused Him to then pronounce a very severe judgment on all of them. He told these 10 spies that they and all of the other men over 20 years of age would not enter into this Promised Land. He said they would all wander in the desert for the next 40 years where they would then all eventually die out there.
However, since Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit about them and fully believed that God could take out all of these giants and strongholds, He tells them that both of them and all of the people under 20 years of age would be the ones who would be allowed to enter into the Promised Land – all because they had enough courage, faith, and belief in the Lord that He could give them the victories once they had crossed over and started to possess parts of the land that He wanted them to have for themselves.
Plain and simple, this was a faith and belief test. God showed them exactly what was waiting for them on the other side. And the test was – can they believe in God and His supernatural power to defeat the enemies and strongholds they would have to directly face – or will they want to turn around and go back into the desert, never giving God a chance to show them what He could miraculously do for them?
As we all know, these 10 spies flunked this test not only for themselves, but for the rest of the men and woman over 20 years of age. In the same way, God could test some of you with this same type of test.
He will show you exactly what will be awaiting you on the other side once you cross over into your true calling for Him. He will show you the opposition, the giants, the strongholds, and the points of resistance you will have to directly face.
He will then sit back and watch your reaction to all of it. Will you fully believe that He can conquer and overcome all of these obstacles and roadblocks for you, or will you get scared and lose faith and belief in Him that He can overcome all of the roadblocks and obstacles that you are seeing?
All of the Israelites 20 years and older in the above story lost their one and only chance to enter into the Promised land – all simply because they could not muster up enough faith and belief in the Lord to fully conquer and overcome all of the points of opposition and resistance they initially saw in this land.
If you are ever faced with this kind of a severe test with the Lord, you will have to make a very big decision one way or the other. You will either have to fully believe that God is calling you to go through this door, and that He will then anoint you with His power to be victorious in this calling – or you will let fear and intimidation get the better of you, and you will then walk out on the call that God has set up for your life.
Joshua and Caleb ended up going into the Promised Land after the 40 years was up, and the Bible says that Joshua was able to conquer and gain full possession of every ounce of land that his foot had stepped on – all because he had enough faith and belief in God that He could this for him.
If God is no respecter of persons, and He was able to do this for Joshua and the rest of the Jewish people in this story, then God can still do the exact same thing for every born-again believer who will fully surrender to His call on their lives – and then be willing to have enough faith and belief in Him to enter into that call and take on all of the opposition and roadblocks they will end up facing down the road in that calling.
4. The Sin Test
This next test is exactly what God the Father did with His Son Jesus. Right after Jesus gets baptized with the Holy Spirit in the Jordan River, God does something rather strange with Jesus. Instead of sending Jesus right of way into His three and half year miracle ministry and then eventually to the cross to save all of us, God sends His Son out into the desert to face a temptation test direct with the devil himself.
Why would God send His Son Jesus out in the desert to let the devil tempt Him with three specific temptations, knowing full well that He was going to pass this test anyway? And if He wanted to test Him, why this kind of a specific test?
The reason God tested His Son Jesus with this temptation test was because He had to see if Jesus would have fallen for any of these specific temptations by the devil.
If He would have fallen for any one of them, He would have sinned against God the Father. And if He would have committed so much as one sin against His Father, then He would not have been able to go to the cross to save any of us.
One of the conditions of Jesus being able to go to the cross in human flesh form for all of us was that He had to be perfectly sin-free. One sin would have totally disqualified Him, and He then would not have been able to go to the cross to save all of us.
Part of the conditions for this ultimate sacrifice for all of us was that it had to be a “perfect” sacrifice, which meant that Jesus had to be perfect in His human flesh form, meaning that He had to be completely sin-free.
That was why God had to specifically test Him on this issue, to see if He would fall and commit at least one sin. As we all know, Jesus passed this test with flying colors and the Bible says that He did not commit so much as one sin when He walked among us for those 33 years. As a result of not committing any sins, Jesus was perfectly qualified to go to the cross to save all of us.
In the same way, God may test some of you with this same kind of a sin test.
The reason being is that He may want to test your resolve to stay out of any type of serious sin. Adultery, bribery, and the hunger and love for money could all lead to your ruination once you cross over into your true calling in the Lord. Look how many modern day ministries have been brought down by adultery, fornication, and the misuse of money and funds.
Just as God allowed Adam and Eve to be tested in the Garden of Eden, and His own Son Jesus to be tested in a desert setting with the devil, God may allow some of you to be tested on this same kind of issue.
Pass this sin test and do not succumb to any demonic temptations, and you will then be trusted by the Lord, and He will then promote you into your true calling for Him. Flunk this kind of a test, and you could completely lose your entire calling in the Lord, just like Adam and Eve managed to do in the Garden of Eden.
If by chance this kind of a test ever comes your way – take it very, very seriously, as there may not be any second chances for you if you flunk this kind of a test. This one is very serious.
If Jesus would have fallen for any one of those three specific temptations from the devil, He would have completely lost His entire calling in God, and He then would not have been able to go to the cross to save any of us. In the same way, you could lose your entire call in God if you succumb to any of these temptations.
There is obviously always full forgiveness and full restoration for you with the Lord if you confess and repent of these sins, but what you could lose is that open door into the heart of your true call for Him due to the consequences that may result from you falling into a heavier type of sin.
Many major men of God have never been able to get back their big, huge, successful TV ministries once they lost them due to falling into these types of heavier sins.
Conclusion
If you will notice in the above 4 examples, these were all deal-breaking tests. When the tests were passed, these people then went into the heart of their true calls with the Lord. When they were flunked, like the children of Israel managed to do with God the Father on the Promised Land issue, they completely lost the divine destinies that God had originally set up for all of them to walk into.
This is why these tests should be taken very, very seriously if you ever happen to have one of them come your way right as you are waiting for your big breakthrough to occur with the Lord in the calling that He has personally set up for your life.
These types of tests can also be brought your way by the Lord at any time during your life’s journey with Him. From time to time, the Bible says that the Lord will test the righteous.
Again, when these types of tests do come your way, make sure that you see them for what they are and do your best to pass them with flying colors. If you do, then God will continue to bring you up higher in your divine destiny with Him. Flunk these tests or do poorly with them, and God may have to hold you back for awhile until you can see what He is trying to teach you and show you.
Besides the above 4 types of tests, there could be other types of tests. Some of you could be tested on your ability to forgive what others may have done to hurt you in your past.
The Bible is very clear in that we have to forgive everyone who has ever trespassed against us in this life and that if we do not, then God will not forgive us of our own trespasses. And if you cannot get your own personal sins forgiven with the Lord, then you may have a very hard time in walking out your own true call with Him since it will obviously damage your personal relationship with Him.
We hope this article will serve as good heads-up for any of you who will either face this kind of testing in your near future, or if by chance you are already in the middle of this type of testing right now due to the close proximity of entering into your true calling in the Lord.
My name is tiara and i am 24 years old and i have been going thouth alot of thinks latey i use to take care of my granmother i moved out my house jusz to take care of her i relly thoight i was doing the right thing by takeing care of her she did me so bad sorry i am crying right now cause it hurt so bad she left me and move with her son and left me and now i am homeless i am trying to keep my head up and pray to god to for give her for all the thing she did to me i just want some one to pray for me and tell me that every thing gone to be ok i think god pu me through this test for a reson …
I am just now reading the comment you wrote and I know for a fact that God uses evil for good. GOD used your grandmother as a greater blessing for you. GOD knows what it takes for each of us especially if you are a true believer in Him, JESUS, and the Holy Spirit . We all have the gift of free will and you willing chose to help your grandmother for the right reasons and you had every reason not to. You still did it without justifying your own actions why you shouldn’t, but you are blessed . Now you keep faith, endurance, perseverance, and more than anything LOVE, OUR SAVIOUR GOD our FATHER and the Holy Spirit who is our teacher and guide is leading you to the right path in life. So don’t let the devil make you believe you are homeless and God will just leave you like that it’s a delusion God is always with you and its Jesus who is carrying you. Rejoice my sister and put on your full armour of GOD and finish carrying your cross it’s more to come. See the GLORY OF GOD AND THE LIGHT OF JESUS. DON’T be doubting Thomas keep your eyes and mind on Jesus the battle is won. So be brave and I will also pray for.
Hello Tiara.
I am just seeing your message. Hopefully you’re in a far better place and that you’ve realized by now that what we do for others are not necessarily paid back by the same people, but rather we’re paid back by God. Perhaps God has allowed someone else to rander you kindness and grace just as you did your grandmother back then. Perhaps you’ve even come to know that the only person we can truly depend on is God. He NEVER fails or disappoints.
May God bless you always.
This is a major test! This is what the spirit of the Lord say’s to you. My daughter, I love you. I know you can’t see what your future looks like right now, but this is the time to trust your Lord its times like these that turn believers into disciples look at what I beard on the cross for you look at those who turned their backs on me! spit on me! made mockery of me! But I still forgave them. You to must suffer some of the same pain my child it’s all part of the fathers plan how can you ever know me as a comforter if you never need comforting, how can you ever know me as healer if you don’t need healing, how can you know me as savior if you don’t need saving. I love you! I’m here for you! Now form a relationship with me pray always and start commanding your days and remember you are a king and a priest. Only if my children know the good things that I have in store them. P.S You have a awesome future!!!
Tiara,
Yes, it sounds you are being given a test. Keep your head high. Pray. Read the bible. I know God has a plan for you. One you may not understand. He made you homeless to build you stronger for your next mission cause you did this one so well. Now you need to get strength. Of course, this is my opinion. One day in the near future, this will be over. Your going to be fine. You’ll see.
God Bless you. God loves you soooooo much. He is keeping you safe.
This is an excellent article and I have benefited from it. I am either in these tests or have come through these tests or going into another of these tests. I can actually see the dross falling from the gold I am being forged into. I am becoming the man that God created me to be!
It has been very painful and I have been very angry at times about it, but nevertheless God reins supreme over me. This has been very hard to live with, however much easier than from the beginning of my journey!
It is very interesting how well God knows me…better than I know myself! I am a broken man and as such becoming completely restored.
Thank you Lord!
Great article I have been out of work for 2years and some months am 40 next year not married yet, my finances is messed my mortgaged not payed for many months, I have prayed praised and danced before God its as if God is not hearing or He doesn’t care. But He makes sure I don’t lack necessities, I have lost hope several times and regained it back. My christian life has become up and down, believe me sometimes I question Gods existence but I always come back repented. Please somebody should help me with an answer when will all this end, I am tempted to give up, sell the house and plot my own path very tempting but I know if God does not okay d plan its more trouble please help me with an answer. Deacon felix
Sorry to hear that you have been filled with so much pain, but trust me my brother! God has not left your side like he has not left mine! You see friend, I was in the same situation as you, lost my job and have you worked and seven years but always had just enough to get by and take care of myself, or did I question the existence of God but in my heart of hearts I knew he was there I was just angry and mad.I thought what is happening in my life, why can’t I find a job I never had a problem before, well then the realization hit me! Maybe it’s not God’s will yet not my will but his will and I got a certain calm about things and that was it soon everything became clear, I did get a job, I was happier Because my stupidity has taught me! Trust in the Lord! His Christians we say we trust God but when put to the test sometimes we fail! For my friend trust in the Lord she will guide you and help take care of you God bless. Jac.
This article was fantastic. God has definitely challenged me with similar tests as these.. It’s so hard to be obedient sometimes I’ve been learning obedience to what He tells us to do is so important and that we don’t need to be afraid of following Him because He is good. Obedience to His Word and His leading in our lives is crucial.
I just prayed for each of you previous posters and pray these verses bless you:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
What a great article this is. I am also going through a time of test in my life right now but the grace of God and His assurance in various scripture verse that He is always with me and will never leave nor forsake me has been a comfort and soothing to my soul. I cherish every word of this article and pray that the Lord will hold me with His victorious right hand of righteousness so i won’t fail Him or let Him down even at this crucial period of my life. This is also my prayer for everyone undergoing any kind of test or trial. As for Tiara and Felix, i urge u both to hold strongly on Him and keep your faith and trust in Him no matter what. Tiara please learn to forgive your grandmother and any other persons that might have or may still hurt you. Note that God might be teaching you a lesson on forbearance and forgiveness so He might launch you into the fulness He has for you. Do not worry, everything will be alright and He’ll provide for all your needs, shelter inclusive. He cares for you. Felix, please keep on holding on and never make any rash decision. It might appear that God is silent and that He has forgotten about you but that’s not true. Remember that was how it seems to Job when he was being tried until God spoke, and and blessed his later end. He knows your case and will make things beautiful for you in His own time. Be Blessed.
In all these test may we in the training camp of God remember always the when certain breakthroughs seems to be delayed we must not blame it on God but on our total obedience to his will and sensitivity to what he says to us. He doesn’t hide things from us. He hides them for us waiting for our graduation from his camp however passing all these test is not a guarantee that it may not repeat itself again in the near future cos concerning the temptation of Jesus Christ the Bible says that the devil left Jesus for a season meaning that he had other strategies for the same temptation. His temptation is one but his strategies are multifaceted. The devil still came back to Christ while he was already nailed to the cross. Even in the height of our success in ministry we should be careful how we toil with our obedience to God. Every wise king is more cautious in the time of celebration than ever in his life. For when men slept the enemy came in by night to sow seeds of tares etc. May God grant us grace to prove our love for him.
i feel im being tested and trained at the moment… i have been a born again christian for a year. i found out a guy i was seeing for 2 yrs was secretly married and i had so much evil come my way. i received warnings from god to get rid of him. also i had a witch who moved in next door and because i was severely sinning this gave her the legal right to send evil into my house; i have learnt to use spiritual warfare with this website and of course i couldnt do this without gods help…
As this website have been a blessing to me and my wife, so much to learn and so much to know. I thank you for this article, I will ask the blessed Holy Spirit to help me to pass every test that God the Father puts me in.
Thank you very much
Love you
i think I’ve been going through a series of test since last year and truth be told I’m tired, i am afraid that i will never be able to be happy because i will always think my happiness will be short lived as it seems like as i am coming out of one trial another is waiting for me, its exhausting honestly and if i allow myself to think hard enough i know God has a hand in it ,i know he is around, i know it within me but the human part of me wants to cry all day and ask WHY ME, why do i always have to be tested to get the things i want , why must there be a trial before my happiness, WHY MUST YOU TEST ME LORD ALL THE TIME!!
sometimes i just don’t understand at all why it should be easy for some and hard for others, why do some people struggle and other just get their heart’s desires with little effort.
@ij
First let me tell you, you are not alone in this. Yes God is with you in all things but I mean you are not alone in feeling like this. I myself feel the same, I ask all of the time why is this happening. I know how it feels to have no prayer left in you and to feel you are the only one that is going through this as everyone else seems to be doing fine. Trust me I know because I feel the same way, even though I know God has never forsaken me.
Even the strongest fighter gets tired and loses faith sometimes. We all desperately want to be the one that can say, I will praise You in all things Lord. From the loss of loved ones before their time, loss of jobs and homes we have all worn the same shoes just different degrees of it. We never will know why it happens like this.
I do know God never seems to work in the forefront always in the background. I want to challenge you with something. Look back at all the trials you have been through and I want you to look to see how and what God did to get your through it. Look for His finger prints, some may be obvious others not so obvious.
I will leave you with this.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Matthew 6
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifeb?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Amen, Amen Amen This study was a great Blessing to me. This helps me to understand the questions that I have had for the past several years.
Thanks
Hmmm! Dont knw where to start from but its a great relieve to read this article i have gone through so much lately that some times i doubt if God was impartial. M 32 married for 4yrs no child financially down every i n my spouse try doesnt go right. As a new believer my husband dont pray or go to church again he hates to hear me pray cos after prayer things get worst just as i was abt giving up i stumbled on this great article now m encourage n will keep prayin n believin pls some 1 pray for me. Any advice is welcome
When you are going through difficulty and you’re wondering where God is, Remember the teacher is always quiet during the test.
Hold Fast, Stand Strong, Stand on the WORD OF GOD.
You have already overcome it, Be strong and Couragious and wait on the LORD. For he is not a man that he should lie, and he’s word never comes back void.
He’s placed he’s hand upon you, he see’s you.
I myself Im going through a trial but i can see what God is doing, though it may be hard holding Fast until you pass.
Question: After pentecost is there any example in the Bible of God testing Christians. I would be grateful if you have any.
Hi John, sorry for the late reply. Here are a few verses in the NT that show God will test us and you only have to look at many of the trials Paul went through to realize some of those had to have been a test.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ … receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6,9)
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy … Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter … therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:12,16,19)
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2)
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3)
This article showed me not to be scared of faith and always believe in god test for that I will not failed his test I want to be in his eyes and I want that plan he has for me
Please what is the difference between test and trail
Hi iwuanyanwu alexandra, many times are test is the trial itself.
To all those who have been suffering for so long, only God knows what the
problem the problem is, but I can tell you what mine was, God had been
telling me in my heart why things were not getting better, so every time
I was disappointed I was remind of this sin in my life, now all that is gone
and I have no guilt anymore, all I’m saying is sincerely search your heart,
God could be trying to remove something.
This article really answered a lot of questions for me and I really appreciate the full description of each test. I wondered what would happen if you didn’t pass the tests…would you go through it again? My experience has been if i didn’t get it right first time I would receive the same test with a different person and situation. But i thank God for loving me so much with unconditional love to allow to get a second, third, or fourth chance to get it right in my heart so I can reach my destiny. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Phil 4:13
I am planning to give up a high paying stress-free job to pursue what I felt was God’s purpose for my life. Growing up poor, its not easy to make this decision. I thought God would honor my obedience. I was given challenges instead. And i am watching non-believers being rewarded instead. Honestly, I am very tired. I began to ask if God is insecured about my faith? All the sacrifices i made was pointless? Or maybe he is trying to tell me i hear wrongly? I got it wrong all along? The non-believer seemed to have an easier time. No trials, no sacrifices, no wills. Just cruising. And me? I dont know how many more trials theres going to be. I am tired.
Oh bt, your prayer and frustrations stated here is so familiar to God and has been a struggle for many almost since the beginning of time. Read Psalm 73. Asaph in this Psalm has the same concerns and complaints you stated here. Remember, always stay in the word of God to be sure what is in your heart is truly coming from Him and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Also remember that God is outside of time. His timing is not the definition of our time nor our ways like His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Another good Psalm for encouragement is Psalm 42. Continue to be well and stay in faith. Peace, joy and love!
Let me say that from what I have read here it can be through revelation and dedicated life of scripture searching that one can come up with material like this,am also a bible teacher from Kenya,and I know what it takes nowadays to have a teachings like this,am greatly blessed and I look forward to reading much from this website,God bless you
God is never early but never late. He is faithful and always desires to meet our needs. However most times we do things our way and do not listen. He said in Isaiah 55 vs 1-3 listen to me and live. Do not lean on your understanding of handling problems. Job noted that God speaks all the time but we do not perceive it. In psalm 32 vs 8 He promised to instruct, counsel and show us which way to go.Involve others in praying for you for there is power in agreement.
After 4 years this web site is still having an effect on lives..I do admire the raw honesty of these brave people… It shows god is still holding them in his powerful arms..he’s worthy to be praise… I’m pending spinal surgery for the second time..this time around is supposedly more challenging… I’m trusting god to direct the surgeons’ hands…. Thanks for your insights of faith in a trying time…god bless to all.
when i read my post of 2012 and i see where i am today , i have the confidence to tell anyone who has ears or anyone who is reading this right now, God is on the throne,He will never and will never ever forsake you, just let go of anything that you think you have control of , just surrender everything to God.
After 2012 i hit rock bottom, i mean every part of my life was in chaos , it got to a point i realised that only God can help me now and i LET GO, i mean i was living everyday not knowing what was going to happen to me .
Take stock of your life, tell yourself the truth, abandon sin , you have done it your way all these years and where has it gotten you? not far , now hand over everything to him who created you and knows what he created you for, leave everything to him who knows your future , leave everything to him who knows your tomorrow , leave everything to him who needs no introduction, the king of kings , the lord of lord, the alpha and omega , the architect of our lives , creator himself JESUS CHRIST .
Trials and challenges, i have realised is the way God tries to get your attention , so now, answer him who is calling you to look inwards , just answer him.
Let go of everything you are doing now that you can’t do in the open, give yourself to God, what areas of your life needs attention? take stock of your life basically , ask for forgiveness , mend bridges, start paying attention to little things, pray simple honest prayers, tell God your weakness and your struggles , ask him what he wants you to do, he will somehow reveal it to you .
NEVER GIVE UP BECAUSE GOD IS ON THE THRONE,i would know , i have been there .
By the time God i through with you believe me you will thank him for all the disappointments, challenges , refusals, rejections, trial you have ever been through.
Not to worry there will be testimonies in your lives .
Wow! I just wanted truly thank you for these words that have been placed on this website for it has inspired me in a great way. I am furthering my walk with Christ as we speak and I’m growing more and more and more and I have been warned by more seasoned Christians that I will be tried by the enemy because he is not in favor of my more intense walk that I have with the Lord so I just thank you for this warning in advance that I am being tested and that it’s not any type of punishment coming from God
great article
One point I do disagree with is the comment about losing “the call” should you fail the test.
I believe what Paul wrote about in Romans 11:29 bares this out properly.
“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”.
hey, this article is soo true..have walked with God trusted and obeyed all the way..at yhe verge of breakthrough i had an argument and settled for less…my question is what do you do after that? i was waiting for a good job but i settled for less..cant even support my needs..
Great article! Wonderful, I also do not agree with “loosing your call” but I do agree that we can do something so bad that we might not get our position back i.e. TV ministry! But I pray to the God almighty for us to pass our tests and for us to not fall into temptation as it’s so hard! I believe that sometimes God’s mercy is so powerful that even if we commit the worst sin that He can turn it around for us! Take Peter for instance, he denied Christ 3 times and that as a terrible sin but then in the book of Acts he was preaching with power and FULL of the Holy Ghost. The test that we probably have to also test is not giving up on believing that God can restore our lives even if we do fall into temptation! We are hopeless without him so we just need to depend on him whether we are perfect or completely sinful! We need to surrender our beginning and end to him and ask Him to complete the good work that He started in us. He that created us is faithful to take us from glory to glory and victory to victory.
Good reading but I totally disagree with the whole… ‘God doesn’t know how you will perform so you could mess up your destiny’…
None of the outcomes of our tests will be a surprise to God… He isn’t subject to time so nothing is new to Him… if God has called you out and you have answered it is because God knew you at the beginning and loved you simply for who you are… and He has planned it so that ‘trials’ are not really trials in His eyes but rather gently leading you to your destiny as He has already done successfully in His own mind… (remember He does;t have to wait to see how you will do’).
What I’m saying is that Christians need only wait and have faith… the whole point is He will do what YOU can’t and that’s how you know it’s Him!
It’s not that you sit around waiting for God’s destiny for you to show up… but never loose heart when being tested and trialed… you have already passed, that’s why God speaks to you and test’s you… the process is about preparing you for an eternity with the Lord… which is guaranteed the moment you are submerged in the Holy Spirit… it’s not possible to ‘loose’ or downgrade your destiny with the Lord… you’re in His hands now… it can be tough… but it will NEVER be a failure… because God works all things for good and know’s He’s gonna get you there!
Just enjoy walking with Him, Daddy got you covered in the Blood of the Lamb…
Praise the Glorious name of Jesus!
Well said ! God bless you – God is good
Wonderfully said. I’m reminded of when Jesus fortells Peter’s denial in Luke 22:31-32. He knew Peter would fail and Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail and after he was converted to go and strengthen his brethren. I love that Jesus didn’t pray that Peter wouldn’t fail but that his faith wouldn’t fail.
Thank you brother and God bless you. I read this article and was crying and praying while feeling ashamed of failing the test and most possibly losing my calling. Feeling absolutely terrible. I really needed comfort and compassion. May the Lord bless you for what you have said.
Yes you can lose your calling !!!!! ( for even through he sought it with tears ‘ He lost his birth right ) google it —- um reading this and — this scripture comes too mind —–
So true and encouraging. God gave me a beautiful promise and as I was waiting to see i manifest, I entered a very stressful obedience test. This article has been an eye opener and I have become very cautious not to flunk the test and lose my destiny in God. Thank you very much.
James 1:2-4 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
My name is Romeo I thank God almighty for make my faith stronger through this blog I was unemployed for a while I didn’t have money to support my self but after I read your article I felt that I need God to led me through so I broke in tears and prayed to God that I want him to led me I believe that all things are possible with him. The following today I receive 2 email and 1 phone call from different company’s to come and do interviews I broke in tears and start praising God for the miracle he did in my life. Christian Jesus is the last solution to your all problems if only you have faith in him. Believe in God he will do great miracles in your life.
I am going through challenges, I don’t sleep properly,I am a single parent,my parents are pensioners they can’t really assist me financially,I am getting evicted from where we r staying,I apply for jobs to no response,ppl are prospering everyday in front of me, sometimes I just don’t know what I have done in this world,which sin have I committed that God cannot forgive me,I am now drained,I am really tired of begging and men taking advantage of me because of my lacking,I never struggled with a job before,I was never married but at least I worked to put a roof over my child’s head and feed him and he goes to school like other children,please pray for me family,I am a prayerful person,but sometimes I just stare at my bible not knowing what to do, I pray for the Lord s grace or to send an angel to rescure us while we wait for the promised land
This is a wonderful and thought provoking message to the soul. I am blessed by the heart that put this article together. I did an introspective view of my own character and I know that I am weak and susceptible to sinning and failing God’s test. Only by His grace can I make it.
As I read about God testing in the article, I wondered what I would do when it is my term because I am rebuked each time I review the Ten Commandments and realized what a sinner I really am. I am learning to seek God in being more prayerful, forgiving and attentive so as to hear when He is speaking to me and obey Him considering how it is so easy to result to what is natural to me.
I’m aware that I am a SINNER, but I am repenting each day and asking for forgiveness. I realize that while forgiveness is easy for God, as it is one of His attributes. Forgiveness in itself is verydifficult, especially if it is done in one’s own strength.
My hope is to pray in the spirit as is required of us. I am learning to be both more thankful and thoughtful in my prayers so they’re more in alignment with God.
I recently watched the “Attributes of God” by Rev. Steven Lawson- (absolutely, profoundly powerful)! I mean, I was touched! It is also found on YouTube. I think everyone should watch it.
It made me see God in ways I’ve never imagined or viewed Him in before, which have now affected my prayers. I thank God for the experience. I am spiritually unstable, weak and broken. I need to be reminded of how great God truly is to keep walking on my beam of faith.
God bless you and May He be praised.
This is the greatest article that empowers me to look at the big picture and realize that know matter what is allowed in my life, God has a strategic plan of knowing whats best for me. The four examples are encouraging and has a profound impact of how God works it all out for our good. This has opened my eyes up to the truth of his power and STRENGTH. Even tho the hardest part is going through the storms of life that challenges us to think with the mind of CHRIST, i still must pass this major test and all four has been coming down my street recently. Confirmation information for all nations!!! The awesome thing that stands out to me is that i find these truths to be accurate according to what im facing in 2017. Lost my job, a home, and my wife and FAMILY. Car was sold and im down to pennies and hope but God is a rewarder of those who delingently seek him. More prayer and less worrying from now on. Thanks!!!!
God tested me and I failed and lost my salvation. Was reborn at my 33s, Christ age with huge and special blessings. Understood that there is something special but failed to realize how serious all was. Experienced incredible attacks by satan then. After three years He called me suddenly in mysterious way to be a nun, to serve Him and poor. Did not realise that He’s calling me (all happened in three weeks period), though that it is me who wants to serve Him. Was full of pride, satan was working on me, I took my eyes from God and satan and put them on me. Experienced huge blessings, love Jesus from all my heart and at the same time hardened my heart. Had many dreams starting twenty years ago and God spoke with me in other ways, but never in three years i even had a mind that He could call me to be a nun. I did everything in my way, not exactly according to the instruction given to me in dreams, etc. So on 26 January I failed test. Only that day i realised that perhaps it is His will not mine because I am thinking about that. Looked for information about monasteries and nuns life and suddenly mind came that I dont want and that God push me into this situation. Suddenly felt terrible anxiety in plexus, understood that something terrible happened. Holy Spirit left me. Was changed totally in Spirit by then and now, after two months nothing is left, I am totally empty and walking in darkness. Nothing helps. God reveiled me that I refused His Will for me, that He had huge plans for me and unpardonable sin was committed. How terrible all this, only those who experienced that can understand. Always think God will, you never know maybe it is you who is chosen by God.
Dear Daiva,
The unpardonable sin is resisting blaspheming the Holy Spirit and refusing His call of salvation and this you have not committed. You are struggling with a religious Spirit that is not of God. God is a God of second chances as long as we are alive. After asking for His forgiveness He forgives and you should believe it and ask Him what to do next. The devil is oppressing you with guilt and that is not from God. He died to set us. Even David was forgiven after killing and so He can forgive anyone. He loves you and don’t let the enemy oppress you. I pray for you that you discover the real Jesus who is love and calls upon us to come to Him when we are heavy laden that He may give us rest. Mathew 11: 28
Dear Daiva,
As another encouraged you, you didn’t commit the unpardonable sin.
Get the book “Roman Catholicism” by Loraine Boettner and read it. You will discover that it wasn’t God calling you to be a nun. You will learn so much more about Catholicism. Much of what we were taught as young Catholics, does not line up with Gods Word. Gods Word is true and anything that deviates from His Word is false. After reading the book spend a lot of time in the Bible and God will make Himself plain to you, then the confusion/sadness/regret/darkness, etc will leave you. Those are feelings from the devil. God will replace those with love/peace/joy, etc. God rewards us when we diligently seek Him!!
Wow this article is for me, I had encourt with Jesus twice, d LST one he visited me was April 28th 2016 last year. He gave me the great commission that he has given medpower to heal d sick raise d dead preach d gospel Baptist them and that i should not be afraid that he is with me now and forever. Matthew 28:18. And he promised me something in my marriage that it will happen this ur. Up till now have not seen d promise and am still eating and believing him but something I get confused. He immediately he told me I started preaching d gospel for some month and stop. Some I will go for evangelism some I will not go. Till this year 2017 am not consistence have been battling with it telling God to give me back that passion for the lost souls. This article has made me know that God is testing me. Am so scared and God is distubbing me everyday i cant pray, and i cant study my bible am struggling.I need help.
James 1:13 nlt
“And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.”
people of God I really don’t know what to do. I’m a family man and in business. Things are not working, disappointment, last minute failure resulting to poverty and debts. feeding and providing for my children is a migrant headache. I’ve been summoned to vacate from the house we’re staying in. The thing is, I understand that times of tests are there and God’s promises are real. My challenge is what must I do when I can’t even feed my family, whatever plan I try is failing. Nobody is ever willing to pop up money to help me furthermore , I’m in a tight spot.Then I’m frightened after reading about the four tests cos it’s only today that I went to play lottery reluctantly. Eishhh!! I regret for my actions and only pray that I don’t get demoted or delayed to my breakthrough. PLEASE FORGIVE ME LORD FOR LISTENING TO PRESSURE AND FAILING TO TRUST YOU. Please pray for me brethren during this testing time. The
Don’t lose hope. Keep praying. God is not a liar and He will provide a way for your children to eat. He will. Pray with them and ask God what you need. When my husband wasn’t working and I was the only one working and paying bills. One week, after I paid all the bills, we were running out of food. I prayed and said God I know you will provide, I won’t worry. The next day I went out to my car to go to work (I worked 3-11 at the time) and saw a note under my car wiper saying there will be a food drive tomorrow at 11am to 1pm at the church right next to us! We lived next to a Presbyterian church. God provided my husband, and I with sweet potatoes, corn, and something else, I forgot but we had food that lasted till I got paid again! He provided just like HE promised in the word. Sometimes we feel tempted to do it on our own when trails come, but wait for the Lord, and that’s what I’m learning to do. I pray a church will be lead to help you and your family.
Just wanted to encourage you and others going through those tough phases of trials. God is faithful and he will never lie. In every challenge, trust him and he will prove to be strong. I had been struggling with businesses that I started til we invited God into our businesses..then everything crushed! Faith, love, patience challenges through hunger, auctions and evictions have not been easy, but I learnt to trust him. We are not yet there, but I can already sense his hand moving things and soon a fuller testimony will be ready. Be of good courage during those trials brothers and sisters
I failed the tests that were put before me. As a result I am separated and soon to be divorced. Although there was no infidelity I failed to love my wife properly. For the past 6 months I have beat myself up about it. I have analyzed the situation over and over again. It wasn’t until I read this that I really began to understand what I really did wrong. And while I feel a great sense of loss, I am excited by the opportunity to one day be strong enough to pass these tests and hopefully please God.
Hold on to Him Sean. Remember King David, yes he flunked the test badly. He even murdered his loyal soldier and took his wife. He knew later that though his Kingdom will be torn apart, he will always remember God’s mercy. Prophet Nathan told him: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ when David repented on the spot. Some relationships can be salvaged, some cannot. Fact is we are all moving on in life, in health and in age. We cant look back to regret our actions and sins. Go forward and do not look back as Apostle Paul says.
We can’t tell the future. We are all born into sin. Not your fault but sin no more.
What if the divorce is a part of the test? Just a thought…! This may be too late for you, as you posted this months ago, but did you know that God can restore marriages even after divorce? I’ve seen Him do it! Many times. Beautiful miracles.
Not to be the devils advocate but, after my husband of 35 years passed away, I remarried. I did pray about this and truthfully believed that the Lord was not sending me any stop signs. 4/12 years into the marriage, for no apparent reason other than we would have the worst fights ( once I stopped crying and started fighting back ). I moved to Miami to live with my daughter as I gave up everything, sold my home etc etc. when we first married and put all of the funds into his home on the Gulf of Mexico, which, I naturally believed would be my home. I could have made him sell it when he started the divorce proceeding but I felt the Lord telling me not to so I didn’t and moved to Miami with nothing. A few months later, he got sick and needed surgery. I went back up to his home to take care of him during this time. Long story short, after a few years, he asked me to marry him again and I did. I don’t think that I did this out of love as much as fear and the need for a home and security and I also believe that he asked me to marry him again for the need of someone to be there for him to take care of his needs and financially. A few years later I realized that I was not hearing God’s Voice anymore nor any direction from Him. I prayed and cried about this for years but things are still the same. I hardly ever read my bible anymore because I never hear from Him. I started thinking a few months back…What a dope I was!! Now I am wondering if the Lord did not release me from that marriage and I didn’t see it and went back consequently messing up my future blessings. I am 72 years old and I’m my husbands caretaker. The thought that maybe I was back with him so he would be saved is not as strong with me anymore. He really doesn’t want to hear anything having to do with God or the Bible, not that the Lord couldn’t do a miracle. I feel like I blew my life, whatever the Lord had for me to do. I am not saying that this is the scenario in your situation but I just thought that I would put my 2 cents worth in. I am still very upset that at 72 years old, I can’t find the Lord in my life when back years ago, we had a wonderful relationship and I heard His Voice all the time and I was obedient when He told me to do something. I must have missed Him and now I am missing Him.
I am passing through a faith test for the past one month plus.It is not easy I must confess.I have decided to fast so that God can increase my faith in him.I am doing a three day fast.The test is not easy and has been hard but I feel as I am growing and getting better in faith.Pray for me guys to our heavenly Father so that he increases my faith in him.I need prayers on this please.God bless you all through Christ our Savior Amen.
I have been hit hard with faith and belief test and it’s hard I’m going to keep trying to pass with flying colors prayers would be appreciated thank you God bless
Are you the daughter of the late pastor Lester Burton? My prayers are with you regardless. May God Almighty give you faith, strength and courage to pass the tests in your life.
The effort will be all YOURS and the pleasure all HIS. Trust me in that. My service to God is not my own. Christ had slaves, they convinced themselves it was their will. Consider this, Judas Iscariot didn’t betray Christ on his own. It was so the SCRIPTURES could be fulfilled. YET, what did Christ himself say about the fate of the one who was to betray him? Short version, better had he not been born. He hardened Pharaohs heart, tested poor Job and empowered and provoked Harrod. Oh yeah, I don’t think he goofed when he put the tree of knowledge in the garden of Eden. Like he didn’t know that would happen. Do you see a pattern forming here? Like maybe he manipulates the outcome of all scenarios AND even creates them including but not limited to my defiance and even contempt if you wanna call it that. I am nothing more than God made me and nothing less. Neither are you. If he tests you, perhaps it is because he has doubts about himself.
A person can convince themselves of ANYTHING, if they are afraid enough. Lies are bad, but the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves, and actually believe. Just remember, LOVE is perhaps the most abuse word in our vocabulary. If I didn’t have faith the size of the planet Jupiter, let alone an insignificant mustard seed, I wouldn’t give an audience to such Godly talk. That is why I am so angry, yet honestly, is my anger my own? Ponder on that for a while. Want the tests to stop though? Try to deliberately FAIL them. Usually my conscience won’t let me, but it depends on whether or not someone depends on me.
Thank God for this article.
I believe i have God calling in my life at the age of 40 . I am seeking for Him and am hungry for Him. I have engaged myself at a church going for pray meeting ,profitical teaching ,healing on street prayers and reading bible at home. My husband doesn’t stop me from doing what I do but one day he said he doesn’t get time to spend with me like how he use to do. I said to my husband you had me for 21 years all to ur self now it’s time to share me with God . He said he may lose his patients with me and he asked me am I willing to give up our teenager children and him . I said I will have to walk on His calling for my life. I will have to pray and ask God what to do .My husband said it is written in the Bible He is a jealous God.
Thank you this article has help me understand.
Hello hazel. How are you doing? Hope you are doing fine with your family.
I went through your story and I have a little piece of word for you if you do not mind.
THE first thing you should know is that the first and number one ministry or calling in a man’s or woman’s life is his or her family. I u understand your point of wanting to serve God, it the truth is that God has a way of functioning, and one of the ways He function is that He commits basic and little tasks on our hands at first. Your family is the number one ministry He commits into your life at first. There is no way you will serve God and you will disregard your husband. It does not work that way. Even if your spouse is an unbeliever, you can never disregard him.
All of these are written in the bible, please do read and meditate on the books of TITUS, TIMOTHY, you will find answers there. Thank you
As the character Forrest Gump, from the book and movie of the same name, said, “Life is like a box of Chocolates”. You never know how it is going to turn out. In western societies where there are health services, plenty of food and social welfare programs, when life turns out difficult there is some degree of help and support. In times past and in non-western societies today, life tends to be a lot harder when things go bad. Modern Western Christians often believe that God will protect them and bless them in terms of family, finances, health and career. This mindset is not supported by history; life was a lot harder and more difficult in the past than it is now. Hardship, suffering and short life spans were widespread. Even in today’s modern western societies there will always be some portion of the population that will go through life-long hardships (people with chronic illnesses for example). Does this mean these people have failed God’s test and missed their destiny. Of course not. That kind of belief system is trivial and simplistic. In modern western societies life is much easier than it was in times past. Christians of former times realized that difficulties and suffering is normal. You have to continue to live a Godly life even though life is difficult. The decisions you make must be based on Christian morals and values. Your actions must be based on love and mercy. If you do these things does it mean God will “bless” you by giving you good health and prosperity. No it does not. Many good and godly people have had very difficult lives. If you live by God’s guidance and show love and mercy to others then he will reward when you meet him after death. If you don’t believe me evaluate the lives of Godly people you know. How much suffering and hardship can you see? Have these people been spared from hardships because they are Godly. No, Godly people suffer similar hardships as the ungodly. Hardship can be totally random, irrespective of your belief system. The difference is that a Godly man or woman should continue to live by godly moral values through hardships, even if they are life-long hardships. Be real!
This is an answer to a professy that the lord spoke over my life
i got life-long hardships is more than 10 years. i really can’t understood why god will reward who gone through his test and his plan. is a really a big missionary to me in this earth. i can’t imagined god love and mercy to His own childrens living in earth. how about the non believer still haven’t accept Lord? God should make a smooth way living to his children. i think all true believers Christian here are waiting Lord Jesus risen up again so we don’t have to suffer any more.
I am a longtime Christian, musician for God, etc. Most things I’ve done in my life, I’ve been good at (sports, music, making friends, etc) but I could rarely finish well. Never really won any state or major team Championships in sports, never had that real breakthrough in music (don’t get me wrong, I’ve had many successes in these things) Big events in my life have been disasters (ie my wedding) My marriage has been a roller coaster, and now, I suffer from gout and arthritis…keeps me from doing everyday things I love. Lost houses, cars, etc. I started to hate being a Christian because I couldn’t understand why God even used this whole system of “Love” and “The Cross”. Why did Lucifer even have an opportunity for iniquity? Why do we have to keep saying God is good when he is SLOW and more prone to allow calamity and suffering than to bless? Why is His word so contradictive..but we can’t say that? Why is EVERYTHING like a game or a mystery? Why is God like this? We didn’t ask to be born to suffer? But he’s not causing the suffering? It’s all worn me out. I wish He would tell us what to do with no metaphors or mystery treasure hunts, but it’s not His nature. But He’s good and we have to keep believing that. Arrrghhhhhhh! I want to go to Heaven so I’ll just believe. Sorry for the vent, I usually don’t do that.
William, I recommend you investigate further the topic of “free will” to better understand it is not God who tests us, but rather the devil. If God continously intervened in Man’s decisions we longer would have free will…which is freedom to do good or bad. God let’s both happen because he must. Many biblical scholars do not fully understand or properly explain this important concept. For example, they use the passage from the bible that “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart” to support the claim God controls others for various reasons. The Pharaoh did not have free will could be their argument. But this phrase is misinterpreted. It is like saying a child’s Mother hardened his heart when she didn’t help with his homework. She didn’t actually harden the child’s heart, it was the action of not helping that caused the child to get impatient and have a hardened heart. What the child didn’t know is he learned more as a result of his Mother’s decision. God has not caused the suffering in your life, but I will bet he has always been there if you needed him…if you asked for strength. God Bless you…Dr. Dan
William, i totally agree with you….i have felt the same for many years almost word for word. don’t apologize, i think of lot of the frustration comes from churches telling us how easy and wonderful it all is. but the walk is often harsh, hard and full of anguish. i don’t know if you will see this, but i hope things are better for you now.
believe and be obedient, Gods time and our time are not the same be patient, I’m not patient myself I have just opt to be patient. psalm 23.
My mother just died and she endured 50 years of hell and torment. She was a faithful tither of her time and money, even tho she had to eat from the food bank. Her children and grand great grandchildren were such a burden and she would help with advice and lots of pray. she passed all the tests. I just watched TD jakes and he was saying if we are put in a situation of trial and tribulation, God will pay back with blessings overflowing While we can enjoy on earth, not just in heaven. But she died living in a shack with not a dime to her name. The financial and drug addicted kids trial has been placed on me now and it’s at least one bad thing after another. I’m a faithful believer and 55 and sickly. Why does God want to push you and push you to the brink of suicide and never seen a blessing
Janice, I am sorry for your mothers hard life, and yours also. I get it. Think of something if you will with me. Think of a loving father, who has great blessings for his child. The child has inherited an addiction for a drug addicted parent, ( us inheriting sin from a fallen world), the child has withdrawals, none of his own doing, he has behavior al problems, for the sin of his mother, the father encourages the child, and guides the child has he has severe challenges in life, He does not understand why this is…my point is that we inherited a broken world, devastated by sin. God, from a standpoint of eternity allows suffering, like he did, His own son, Jesus, despised the shame of the cross, but for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross. A story of a mother who has a 10 year old son who had a terminal disease, she prayed for God to heal her son, God said no, but she prayed so fervently that God finally gave her her hearts desire, the boy grew up and at the age of 42 committed murder, his mother lived long enough to see her son hung as a criminal for murder, God in His mercy would have allowed the child to die early and make it into eternal bliss forever. He understands what we do not. My life has been a great struggle, but I look at the truth that for all eternity I will never experience pain again, struggle, hardship, sorrow. Be encouraged, God knows, and will not allow you to suffer more than you are able to bear.
God does not test us though evil cause trouble but God always protect us and keep us away from harm especially in our time where we are under the covenant grace through the death of Jesus on the cross.
The shepherd take care if His flock and we are sheep of God.
Let us have peace in God that He is God of blessing w/o trials. And if anyone who is in trial, shall and ask for God’s rescue because our God is faithful to grant our request. Count your trials as joy. And to those who are in good life then rejoice and thank God.
This article is truly a blessing to me! The Holy Spirit has told me my calling but that I have to pass this test first. I was trying so hard to get out of it because I knew God had the power to settle it for me. This gave me the conviction, and understanding that I need to do the test. Thank you and God bless your ministry!
Its absolutely no doubt in my mind that i have been tested constantly and continue to be! Weird [or weird to me] situations, people both friend and family who always have been near and dear suddenly become just the opposite,like strangers near bout, some downright hateful, Indeed im a believer in God always have and will be, I do make an effort to treat folks descent and be a descent person, tho i promise you im far from perfect! not even close! i have and do to a point read scripture and maybe even quote a few, but not tha kind who can pop of exact scripture word for word, But the Bible teaches us that in the near end brother will become against brother, compassion for humanity will be replaced by lover of money and material things, even gloating of their riches, strange happenings will become common etc. Are we at the eve of this? Just the mentioning of this to persons even closest to me brought ridicule, slurs, arrogant comments etc. So why all of a sudden do such things ”touch a nerve”?
My brother, I am going through a similar situation. God tests us. Think about anything that will be of use in this life, from a product you buy off the shelf to a car, everything is tested before it is put to use. It seems crazy, like everything is twilight zone-ish. But I know God’s Word is greater than anything in life, I proved its incredible power in another season of my life, so nothing, I mean nothing can undo this confidence in Gods Word. God’s Word is God, so if you only have this, no one standing with you, including family, all may have abandoned you, but God’s Word, I promise you, will be standing when the hurricane/ Tsunami/ fiery furnace/ earthquake, of a storm subsides. God bless you brother. I am encouraging myself also.
This articles has not only blessed me but it has also helped me to discover the areas I have been going wrong and now I promise to change.Thank you so much.
There are good points in here but also several serious errors in theology. You say that God tested Abraham and tests us to see if we will be obedient..Then you say that God tested Jesus “ to see if Jesus” would fall into sin. God is all-knowing!
Scripture teaches us that he is Omnicient… God tested Abraham so that ABRAHAM would realize his obedience and commitment to the Lord.
God wasn’t unsure of what Abtraham or Jesus’ response was going to be. Your interpretation gives the view of a different God- a weak, not omnicient one that scripture teaches.
Since God is omniscient, why did he test people…I do not understand. I’m not trying to be arrogant or anything.I just would like to know why does God test people? I agree with many of your points ,and do take it seriously. I worry greatly to lose Gods calling on my life…it causes me great stress…yet the bible says Fear not.I feel I am a failure as I worry alot.Its not that I dont trust God it’s that I worry that I will let
Him down as I have so many times before…Please please pray for me ..my name is Mary. I appreciated your article very much.I do not understand much of the Bible but I do care about what it says as I have tested it and found the proverbs to be true in every situation. Please pray for me as I have two stalkers who claim to “love” me and one who is a friend, seems to want a relationship, which I do not as would love to be pure in heart…I am facing a trial a fiery one ..please pray the will of God in my life and for me to have to power to carry it out,please also pray for these two stalkers as they I believe have evil intentions…I am also attempting to clean sin out of my life…completely. Pray for Divine protection and intercession for some deliverance for me as I’m oppressed by an evil spirit.I was told some come out only by prayer and fasting. I’m dealing with a generational evil spirit. Please pray for my family especially my two teenage daughters, Kay and Merle.Thank you so very much in advance..Mary.
God does know exactly what you will do, but you don’t know what you will do until faced with it. I believe God will allow these tests to help us grow in confidence and maturity in the Lord. Let’s say you were called into the deliverance ministry and God places you directly into that calling on your life and you see how the demons react during deliverance and it scares you so much that you run out and don’t finish the deliverance. Why can you imagine what the devil would do to the poor soul being delivered and also to you and your confidence in the Lord….and He allows them (the tests) to show us that we need Him….we are not self sufficient but need the Lord in every aspect of our life. Believe me, you may think you know what you will do in any given situation, but sometimes you get fooled by your own behavior.
I am a Pastor of a church and it seemed nothing I did helped the church to grow. I was at the point of growing weary of doing good and not seeing anything come of it. The Lord told me to hold on for a little while longer, so I have. I have been put through the patience test and the obedience test and God put things in my path to help me to grow in these areas…he put a pup in my life that is nothing but pup and has driven me crazy with his puppy behaviors…some good, some bad….that would rile my temper at him….it took me a minute to realize what was going on but then I began to ask God to give me the patience I needed to work with this pup instead of getting angry when he would tear something up, or pee pee in the house….and it wasn’t but a couple of weeks after the Lord telling me to hold on for a little while longer that new faces started coming to church. So, I’m a firm believer God will try you to see where you stand, if nothing else, for your sake to show you. God bless.
Not long ago I determined in my mind to follow Jesus after reading the book of John. “If you love me, you will obey may commands,” John 14:15, thus proving my love for him. My Life had become almost worthless so the many promises Jesus made in showing my love for Him was exactly what I deeply desired. After 2 days of troubles, last night an exceedingly obsessed brother visited me. He has come over may times and it always goes like this: the first 1 or 2 minutes he usually mentions the Lord, then he launches into the NEGATIVE endless tirade about politics, conspiracies, and his’ bitterness against people and situations that in the past have hurt him and that’s his reason for his’ terrible life for the last 30 years.
I make several attempts to bring the conversation back to The Lord, but he will talk over me and continue with his obsession, or he will get offended and say he loves Jesus and people, then go right back into his’ tirade. On several occasions, I got drawn into his’ game and a bitter argument ensued. When he finally left, my faith and desire to continue reading scripture was almost Zero! Out of desperation, I shortly went to bed as thoughts, doubts about serving the Lord and temptations began to affect me. I woke up this morning and as I began to get out of bed, I said to the Holy Spirit: “Holy Spirit help me, I’m gong to fall away.” The scripture then came into my mind what Jesus said about the different seeds which fell to the ground. Then the thought followed that I was being tested! My faith returned at once and I went to the computer and typed in: “Does God test his’ people,” knowing of course He does, but I needed to hear other committed Christians expound upon it! “God Will Test You Right Before Your Breakthrough” came up and reading the article was exactly what I needed and has prepared me to expect more in the future so I won’t be in ignorance, thus not allowing the Devil to rob me of God’s calling.
I truly enjoyed that article. It has shown me areas in my life that I also need to work on. I now understand more of the things i’ve gone through in my life time. They were priming me for what was to come. I am a diabetic,and guilty of not following the guidelines of being healthy. September 13,2017 I had a heart attack,couldn’t breathe,sweating like crazy. Called my children to tell them I was dying. I then called 911 screaming for help. They seemed to come within minutes. I prayed to be able to get to the door. I remember opening the door and then I passed out on the floor. When I opened my eyes I was in emergency. I was told I had a mild heart Attack.I was admitted in the hospital,being prep for them to check on my heart. I was told there was blockages. Teriffed I left the hospital, contacted a friend and was given a cardiologist to go and see. That Sunday I was sitting in Church services and the pains started hitting me so severe. My son rushed me to the hospital,and they wanted to keep me for test, I checked out again. When I think back God was showing me that my situation was getting worse. A few days later I was gettin my daughter from work. The pains started again,it was as though life was leaving my body. I told my daughter that my body was shutting down,that’s how bad I was feeling. We made it to my daughter’s house. I told her I couldn’t drive home,so I spent the night. It was crucial but I didn’t tell anyone,because my appointment was that morning. My son had come to transport me to the doctor. When I got in to see the doctor he told me my test showed I needed to be in the hospital ASAP! They prepped me for that Monday for surgery. The doctor had given a time when the surgery would be over,but 8 1/2 hrs. later he came out to tell family how sick I was. My heart had stopped on the table(God brought me back). The swelling was so bad my body had to lay open until the swelling went down. In ICU for days,then brought to my room of recovery,and the changes were still there. Five days after surgery and no bowel passed. I was smothering until I told them my problem and then was given some help. Three weeks in the hospital flat on my back,looking up I knew what I had to do. God had been giving me grace/time to understand what needed to be done. I made that promise to God that if He got me out of that bed,I was going to serve Him in every capacity the duration of my life. Now my life is a testimony of the goodness of God,and i’m sharing that with all that come into my life. He did it for me,and He’ll do it for the rest of the world. Thank you Holy Spirit for placing this article in my path. To God all glory & praise is given. 🙂
I believe I went through a test a year ago God l believe God had a ministry for me and was going to bring me and my wife back together. I was really struck with fear. I gave into the fear. I have not heard the Lord speak to me in the past year. Which scares me even more. I have read the word less and prayed less. I am trying to come back to him. I feel like I really blew my chances. Please help.
@JEFFREY W MADDOX, can you redo the test brother? I have been through some crazy tests and normally when I am going through them God is silent. Or if I’m refusing to do the test God is still silent. I think it is because there is a breakthrough after our tests and He wants us to finish the test. I have pleaded with Him to take this current test away I have been stuck on it for nearly 6 months and God has been silent the whole time. But I know He will restore and bless it afterwards you know. Normally at the breaking point is where He meets us again and restores us with His Spirit. Is there any push on your heart that you can still complete the test?? 🙂 Big hugs in the Lord
This exact situation happened to me. God promised breakthrough if I endured one last test. I just wasn’t able to obey though. And now all I can see is everything I’m ruining and all of the opportunities I could have had passing me by due to not living out my spiritual calling. Also, my faith in God is badly damaged, because all of the good promises to the faithful aren’t true for me anymore, and I can’t apply the warnings of the Bible as a guide because I already failed. It makes me want to not connect with God, because I have nothing left to hope for based on His word. I also let it become a character lapse and got myself really far down. Is there any hope left? What do I do?
@Andrea, hey Andrea sister in the Lord. <3 I have been through some intense tests from the Lord over the past year and right now He has asked me to do one final test before a breakthrough. It has been 6 months and I still haven’t passed this test. But God has not given up on me. I have felt all the feeling you have felt while trying to complete it. I have a question for you – are you still able to complete this test?? God is patient with us. I’m still able to try and do mine and it’s been 6 months so I’m sure there is grace for you also. look forward to your reply. xo
Life’s tough man.
After my baptism about over a year ago I was great. Finally water baptised and spirit-filled. However, shortly after I felt God was all quiet. I was doing everything right. Then I came across really bad temptations and have been in this sin since. Ever since I fell back into the sin everything has spiralled slowly worse in my life. God though keeps tapping me ever since, I haven’t lost faith in Him but I’ve turned my back in some parts. I feel that he has a big purpose in my life but I just can’t grasp what it is. I’m 20 and unemployed living back with my parents because of the pandemic and my choice.
I just need Him to tell me what to do next. If he really lays my path forward why won’t he clearly tell me. Like this is a big deal making the next choice of what I’m going to do in my life. I’ve prayed for Him to tell me clear too. I guess I’ve just got to be patient.
Anyways, I just commented this because this is me right now, the last 12months and a half of dark times I’ve had.
This was a hard read but encouraging at the same time. I recently had the test of “Faith and Belief” where I had to make a decision to remain in one place for my career or move to another in my career.
I prayed and prayed throughout the exam, and learned just how weak I really am. I cannot do nothing without him. I also learned that a sin that I thought moved passed may return during that I struggle. The faith and belief test is no joke, and I worry now that I disappointed God by the decision I made. I want to be forgiven for my failures, and I still want to be used in the future.
However, I learned five things: 1) He listens to my (everybody) prayers 2) He tests us(me) in areas of weakness. 3) I tend to compartmentalize my life to protect myself, but that keeps my heart from his hands. 4) Lastly, he may give me (you) a heads up, but the point is to be ready at a moment’s notice. 5) His ways are hard but fair and loving. (take up your cross daily).
Thank you for listening.
You forgot the TRUIST test of faith!! JOB! He lost EVERYTHING and still trusted God!!
I believe we are all JOB~ it is our choice to decide which way to go when we’ve lost something valuable, a son, in my case. We can turn and run out of anger and disappointment or we can grow in our faith and trust that God will heal our hearts. There is NO replacing a child ‘sevenfold’ but there is something good that can come from it if we surrender and trust. It is the hardest and longest journey I have ever traveled and I have doubted at times but in the end the ONLY answer is GOD. He is the only one that can heal my shattered heart and use it for good. I firmly believe He WILL.
Hi, thank you for this article. As a young widow with 3 minor kids I have been questioning if God even has a plan and purpose in my life at all. I felt abandoned and let down and very very alone and overwhelmed with daily life. I have been drawing closer to God even though I have so many questions and I feel that God is not answering. This article really helped me understand and I am able to identify with these tests that I am currently going through. I ask that you keep me and my family in prayer and for strength as I continue to go through these tests and come out in the manner God has planned. Thank you and God bless, keep doing the good work….
I learn a big lesson from this , I fall into sin of complaining, because of waiting on to the Lord,
As I go through life, I often see how often Christians understand our LORD’s will in the wrong light.
HE will never use evil for good, that just can’t be. If a builder used a peice of timber that is rotten, that structure will never be as solid as it is intended to be. Along with this often comes the difficult questions of HIS will, such as “why does HE allow children to suffer?”, or “how can he choose an innocent child to inflict so much hatred on him?”. I often contemplated this question in my darkness days, if not the years of my own suffering.
My life is not as glorious on the outside as most here portray their own lives, and their triumphant tests. Sometimes, some are chosen to be born to this fate, to walk a very lonely, empty life, in fear, and sadness in their walk; we are not pastors or some person who was in a sense was cured; who is put on display for the world to marvel.
But in my darkest moments, there has always been a light, that kept me working hard to find. I have reached that light, but I’m still in my dispare. HE is my strength, and my purpose to keep walking my walk with HIM.
But why am I left in dispare? As I looked for answers, I noticed I was not alone, many others share the same walk, no one is cured, no one is fed, we are mostly lonely though we have given our lives to HIM. As babies, we rely upon our parents to teach us the basics of live, much like our Saviors mission to preach to us the Word and to teach us of HIS love. In this HE teaches us compassion for each other, love for each other and our faith in HIM. So that starving child, though we cannot seem to help, is the “test” to have empathy and to love others around us, to help his children in HIS name. We do not receive any glory, but we honor HIM to live as he taught us. I can tell you for a fact, that I am one of the most despised group of people on the planet… I am an ex-concvict in your eyes, but a lost lamb found in HIS. The test is, will you love me, help me, will you worship with me? Will you even stop and consider, that my past does not define me, but my destiny to serve HIM does?