Articles, Questions, & Answers

By Alice Smith

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which
is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you”
(1 Peter 4:12).

At the beginning of a college course one professor gave his students the 100 answers to his final exam and told them they would be required to know the answers by the end of the semester. His fellow professors were angry and accused him of cheating his students by
providing them with the answers before the test was given. His reply: “My goal is to teach them this subject. These 100 questions contain
the essence of the subject. If, at the end of the course, they can recall these answers, then they have learned what I am paid to teach them.”

The students of the other professors had no idea what their teachers’ goals or what would constitute mastery of the material. They didn‚Äö√Ñ√¥t have a clue what was going to be asked on the final exam in their classes. They didn’t know what to take note of, what to remember or what to be prepared to answer until the last few days (if then) before the exam.

Aren’t we glad that God gives us the answers before the test? His Word, His Spirit and the life experiences of others tutor us so that we can pass our tests. In one sense, although we may not know the route the Lord will use to get us where He is taking us, we can know the destination. In that sense, we are able to know the end from the beginning.

When I was in college, many of us would stay up all night to read our textbooks, look over our notes and cram for our exams. We could only guess what the teacher might put in the test. Some of the girls would actually go to bed early. What was wrong with them? Didn‚Äö√Ñ√¥t they care about their grades? The final result, however, is that some of them scored better than those of us who had ‘crammed’ all night. Why? Because their minds were rested and clear enough to recall the right answers!

As Christians we need to release all anxiety. Anyone can imagine the negative “What ifs?” of life, but anxiety will blind us to what is right in front of us. Things may seem clear enough but then the test results are posted. We knew the answer but our anxiety caused us to miss it.

Never make important decisions when you are distressed and unable to see clearly. When you are calm and collected, however, you will find the will of God more clearly revealed. If you are feeling anxious, turn from your problem and focus your thoughts on praise and devotion. Listen to the Lord and forget self-condemnation. In that place of inner quietness your mind relaxes and your spirit is freed to commune with the Holy Spirit. It is here that He reveals the truth and gives you wisdom to make good decisions.

Let’s face it, life is complicated! It’s easy to get worked up into a frenzy when your baby is sick, you’ve lost your job, the money is tight and your marriage is stressed. Pressure hinders your ability to think, much less pray effectively. As the pressure builds, you may find yourself speaking hurtful words that only exacerbate the situation. Never trust your immediate impulses during these pressured times.

An experienced spiritual counselor will warn you to hold off making important decisions until you regain your inner calm. Slow down. Turn inward to your heart. Hear yourself praising the Lord. Remind Him of His goodness and the good things He has done and will do. “Give yourself to the LORD; trust in him, and he will help you‚Äö√Ñ√π (Ps. 37:5, GNB). As you give yourself completely to praise, your anxiety will dissipate.

God allows tests to come into our lives. Testing is not the time to forsake the journey of knowing Him more! The point of testing is to please the Lord in every decision you make. If you persist in pushing through with your own decisions when it is time to reflect and wait for His voice, then failure is certain.

James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation.” This verse is so interesting to me. The word “count” means to line up in a column or in a row. A paraphrase would be: “Line up in the column of joy when various kinds of trials come your way.” Imagine yourself jumping up and down with your hands in the air, shouting, “Lord, let me be the one to go through the test!”

Tests come to us not to inform God about our situations but to help us know Him and ourselves better. God has already given us the answers to our test; now he wants us to take the test so that we can prove to ourselves and to others that we know the answers. Are you ready?