Training, trying and spiritual tests

The sources of tests and the circumstances warranting
them in our walk with Christ will continue to vary from person to person. But it helps always to acknowledge that testings are inevitable, continual, necessary,
productive, influential and are ultimately crafted by God.

Here are some tests most Christians endure:

1 – The Faith Test (Can God…?) 

2 – The Discouragement Test (Isn’t all lost now?)

3 – The Motivation Test (Can I…?)

4 – The Frustration Test (How did this happen again?)

5 – The Self-will Test (I don’t need God’s help here do I?)

6 – The Time Test (How long should I wait for God?)

7- The Betrayal Test (How could s(he) do that to me?)

8 – The Misunderstanding Test (Don’t you think a divorce is it?)

9- The Failure Test (Can I have another chance?)

10- The Servant Test (Who’d take care of this…?)

11- The Success Test (Can’t you see I’m made?)

12- The Money Test (Where’s the the 90% going?)

13- The Leadership Test (Who succeeds me and how?)

14- The Wilderness Test (Where’s God in this?)

We all find ourselves wrestling with one or more of
these as God aims to reveal what we really believe, help explain what we don’t understand or
show us the applicability of the lesson(s) He intends to teach.

There are always challenges that accompany tests
which could be devastating when the tested become disillusioned
(asking why me?), distraught (doubting God and lose hope), distracted (focusing
on the test and miss its purpose), angry (hate on the source and seek
vengeance), bitter (wallowing in self pity) or even hardened (embrace their
failure as normal, making it a lifestyle).

As I press on with discipling a hand full of passionate youngsters here
in Yei, I am more convinced than ever that spiritual discipline does not come
by trying harder but by training better for these inevitable tests of life.

I come from a place where being told, “You’ve tried”
is often a huge compliment; meaning you’ve offered your best. But trying to do
something is not the same as training to do something.

This need for preparation, or training, does not stop when it comes to
learning the art of forgiveness when people hurt you, or living joyful when suffering
persecution, or courage when surrounded by fear. These three elements in
spiritual grounding are inevitable for all disciples.

Learning to think, feel, and act like Jesus is just as demanding as
learning to run a marathon or ride a bicycle. So Paul told his son Timothy, “Workouts
in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so,
making you fit both today and forever.” (1Tim 4:8 The Message)

The true indicator of spiritual well-being should be growth in the
ability to love God and people; which is revealed by various tests, with
the evidence of abounding fruit.

Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda. View all posts by Uche Izuora