I’ve known for many years that God does not tempt us (see James 1:13), but what I am recently realizing is that He does test us.  EEK!!!

Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance. Psalm 66:8-12

As a terrible test-taker, this is not something I’m happy about…at all.

It is hard enough to stay on the right track as it is.  So, to discover that there will be tests along the road is just downright distressing.

Although, even wallowing in my self-pity, I recognize the need for these tests.  Sigh.

It is human nature to take the comfortable route, but we never actually learn or grow from taking Easy Street.  It is our mistakes, our blunders and our pain that push us towards improvement.

“A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.” – Henry Kissinger

The beauty and worth of a diamond are eons away from a piece of coal.  How much more beautiful and worthy are we in God’s eyes than a diamond?  MUCH….

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—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1Peter 1:6-7

God continues to mold us into the people He created us to be.  It might not be pleasant, but the end result is priceless.

For me, it’s all about my attitude.  If I think it’s going to be bad, well, guess what?  I bet it’s just awful!  However, when I place my trust in God to guide me down His path even when I want something different – I always reach a better place than I ever could have imagined.

Satan tries to tell us that being successful, making the most money, being the best, having fame and being powerful is what brings happiness.  It’s the lies of the world that have us running for the Easy Street.  We respond negatively to the tests we come up against because we lack the faith that God is really FOR US.

Geez…when will we learn?!?!?!

Jesus tells us that we must give up our lives to save them, be servants instead of being served and do His Will and not our own – WAY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE WORLD SAYS.

The weird thing is that when I am closest to God (i.e. reading my bible daily, praying often, and BEING OBEDIENT) I always find myself filled with hope, peace and joy that are indescribable.  And it doesn’t matter if I’m in the middle of chaos.  Crazy, I know.

Unfortunately, trusting God to have our best interests at heart is where many of us fail miserably and it is the key to learning from all of the tests that are thrown at us in our life.

“There is only one way to learn.  It’s through action.  Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.” – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Welcoming God’s tests and allowing Him to guide us every step of the way grows us closer to Him, therefore, teaching us how to truly live life abundantly.

Are you ready to rely on God for the tests coming your way?

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.