There’s a reason the Israelites went around the same mountain for almost 40 years. It’s the same reason many of us are stuck in repetitive cycles and battles year after year. We’re failing the same test with no idea why.
1 Peter 1:6-7 says,
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith -mote precious than gold that perished though it is tested by fire -may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Tests expose what is in us and where trust truly lies. They aren’t meant to harm ud, but to sanctify us so that we will become more like Jesus.
Even after we put our faith in Jesus there is still a lot of work to be done. Thankfully, God is gracious and refines us little by little. He doesn’t expect us to exhibit all the fruits of the Spirit immediately. He knows that it takes time. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula.
The primary way God helps us grow in love, patience, kindness, etc… is by placing us in situations that require us to develop and exercise those characteristics.
“It’s the people that frustrate us that God will use to grow us. We won’t learn how to love well if we only love lovable people.”
I seem to find myself in situations that are weirdly similar to previous ones. A sign that we are failing the same test if found in the same pattern we see in life.
If we’re not learning the lesson, God is trying to teach us. He allows us to re-take the test. If we don’t pass the first time, we will have another chance, and another, and another until we do. God doesn’t do this to punish us. He trying to reveal our weaknesses and dibs so that we seek Him to learn how to overcome them.
Its important to remember that we don’t pass tests from God in our own strength. We pass them by relying on God’s strength and walking in obedience to His instruction.
God tests us when we are in a trying or difficult situation, and that gives us the opportunity to put into practice what God has been teaching us.
I think that God wants to develop joy or peace in stressful, overwhelming situations. Because we will never know biblical peace and joy in our lives if it’s always “perfect.” Happiness can be based on what happening around us. But biblical joy and peace can exist regardless of our circumstances because it’s rooted in Jesus and a godly perspective.
Through the years God has helped me grow in biblical peace that has allowed me to endure stressful situations. When I have anxiety it’s my evidence that my faith is in my situation -not in God. I could worry about all the “what ifs” or focus on God and pray. He has helped me through every trial before so, why do I doubt Him now. He has always made a way.
“Count it all joy, my brother (and sisters) 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” -James 1:2-4
When God places us in difficult situations we mustn’t run back to old habits and mindsets, but run to God for guidance. Any characteristics we possess that aren’t Christlike we should be working to remove them.
So, don’t be surprised if you find yourself being tested on the same characteristics over and over until you pass the test. We won’t reach perfection on this side of heaven. There will always be more to learn and develop.
The best way to pass Spiritual tests is to trust God and be obedient to His Word. Which isn’t always easy. I find myself asking God “What are you trying to teach me through this trial?” God gives us the resources and wisdom we need to pass the tests if we ask Him. But, it’s up to us to apply what we’ve learned and received from God.
We can pass these tests. Remaining stuck in toxic cycles, bound by sin, and defeated are not our portion in Christ Jesus. We are overcomers. We are no longer slaves to sin, but set free in Christ Jesus.
From Pity to Praise 