4:178 – Why is God Testing Me?

#faithbites #faithjourney

Setting

Have you ever said, “Why is God testing me?” Have you thought that enough is enough and you are ready for a lull or a status quo? That is how I am feeling this morning. Enough is enough, God. Stop with the tests. I have passed them. Or, God, I shouldn’t have to pass any more tests as Jesus died for my sins and forgave me. What if I said that God isn’t testing you but instead trying to grow you. Would that change how you feel?

Today’s Questions: How does wrestling with God help you grow? What is the difference between a test, a temptation, and a growth opportunity? Does it matter?

Scripture

• Temptation:
  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 – The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
  • Hebrews 4:15 – This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
• Testing
  • John 16:33 – I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.“
• Growth
  • 2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
  • Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Reflection

Is it a test, a temptation, or a chance for growth? Some would say it’s semantics, but for me, I see these as different. When I look at them differently, then I can act differently. (Yes, I threw a growth opportunity in there).

Temptation is hard. It is not something from God but from the Devil. We also know that God won’t allow us to be tempted more than we can handle. We have a savior in Christ who has been tempted, understands the difficulty of it, but still did not sin. He loves us for who we are and forgives us for our sins. God isn’t trying to tempt us. Why would he? He wants us to feel his love and do right by him.

When I say tests or being tested, many of us think back to school and tests we took there. In many cases, they didn’t evaluate what they were aiming at. They brought anxiety, fear, and stress rather than trying to assess knowledge. (Sorry, my educator side came out). God wants to see us grow and not squirm under pressure. That isn’t our God. He knows we will be tested through temptation and the world, but that isn’t who he is. You might say that he tested Abraham, Noah, and others. If you look at it, was God testing their faith, or was he preparing them to grow?

My youngest and I experienced growing pains. The aches and pains are no joke but prepare us for the future. Likewise, God wants us to grow in him. Growing and hunger for our Lord are what God wants. He gives us opportunities not to prove our faith or test our determination but to let us grow to the next level. He helps us to see where and who we could be with Him. This isn’t a test. There is no reason to have the anxiety, stress, and worry that comes with tests. We should look at it as an opportunity, it may be challenging, but we get to improve ourselves.

As we close, remember that God isn’t tempting you or testing you. He is giving you opportunities to grow in faith, to grow in Him, and to become the person He created you to be.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for loving us enough to help us grow. Remind us that you aren’t testing our faith or tempting us to sin. You are a Good Good Father who loves us. We pray that you help us understand why we have the trials we have. We ask for your guidance and strength as we grow in the faith and fulfill the plans that you have made for us. In your name, we pray, Amen.