This is Just a Test

Life is sometimes so difficult that you feel like you are being put through a test. It’s like you are in a tunnel of trials. Although one crisis gets cleared up  another crazy circumstance comes your way. When will there be light at the end of this tunnel?

I experienced my own crazy moments which I expressed in my recent blog called: Bug Off. What I had thought was a bird mite problem ended up being a health issue most likely related to my thyroid. The doctor gave me a drug to control the itching, but it also makes me very sleepy. The sensations of bugs crawling on my skin are better now, but not perfect. I still need some medication to sleep at night because that is when it’s worse. The downside to taking the medication is that it causes me to sleep in.  I sleep right past my early morning writing time, so I’m having to readjust.

Then another crisis! We had yet another week of testing. We had ants invade our kitchen. I have always been thankful that in the 19 years we’ve lived in this house, ants have never been a problem in the kitchen. So one night, at midnight, we found ourselves unloading the cabinet that housed our condiments, vinegars, baking ingredients and such. Pest control came the next morning, but as I was showing him something, I stood up quickly and hit my head on the bottom side of an opened cupboard. Y’all, that hurt like heck! But worse than that, now my head was bleeding. I ended up with 5 staples and a tetanus shot that day. I came home from Urgent Care and was pretty depressed. It just seemed like I just couldn’t get my life going again. I kept getting knocked down. It was humbling.

Will life feel normal again? I don’t know, but I have to keep trying. I may see very little progress, but if I keep walking rightly I know I’m on the right path. Not every day or even every season will be filled with good times. Sometimes we have to go through the hard times of testing. This in many ways is a hard time for individuals, families, cities and this nation. It is testing our resolve.

Points to Remember During a Test

1. There are no shortcuts – Our number one prayer during a test is for God to end it asap. Think of a test as if you are driving through a tunnel on your road in life. Are there shortcuts in tunnels? No. It’s long and straight from the beginning to the end.
2. Dead spots cause communication problems – It’s harder to communicate with people and with God. We are so focused on our problem we retreat from others. When it’s too hard to communicate, short prayers like” “Help me God” or “Jesus, will you pray for me?” will work even in dead spots.
3. Adjust expectations – Be realistic on what we can accomplish when we are in the middle of a test. It’s harder to see and we need to focus on the road.
4. “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear” – Our view is often distorted. Pray that God will help see things as He sees them.
5. Check for blind spots – Sometimes we just can’t see clearly around us. Listen to the counsel of those close to you. Maybe they can see something in your blind spot. Recently I had a major blind spot in the crisis of my legs itching at night. My husband advised me to call the doctor. He was right. It was a medical issue, not an environmental issue. That was key to me getting better.

Again, this is just a test. Testing has a beginning and an end. Thank God! But most of the time it is pretty miserable going through it. What is being tested? Let’s look at this verse in the Bible.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,
for we know that they help us develop endurance.
And endurance develops strength of character,
and character strengthens our confident
hope of salvation. And this hope will not
lead to disappointment. For we know how
dearly God loves us, because He has given
us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

So you see, these trials we are facing do have a purpose in our lives. This has been a tough year. But this has been a growing year too. We are developing endurance, our character is being strengthened and we have the hope of salvation. God loves us. He’s carefully watching us. He knows it’s been a tough year. Be encouraged. Tests end! I leave you with this verse.

We all experience times of testing, which is normal
for every human being. But God will be faithful to you.
He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing
of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it.
And each test is an opportunity to trust him more,
for along with every trial God has provided for you
a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.

Have a Great Weekend. -Kim

 

Romans 5:3-5 NLT
I Corinthians 10:13 TPT