How Do You React to A Test?

Text anxiety.

I used to have it and always found myself extremely nervous before exams. I then struggled with multiple-choice quizzes because my analytical brain could come up with numerous reasons why more than one answer could be correct. That never resulted in a perfect score.

But there’s another kind of test anxiety. How do you react when you go through a test in life?

An illness.

A family issue.

Financial distress.

What thoughts are in your heart? What words come out of your mouth? Do you trust God in the midst of the strife?

This week, as I was reading in Deuteronomy, I came across a verse that I’d never noticed before.

“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deuteronomy 8:2).

I always thought the Israelites wandered in the wilderness because of their sin, but God also wanted to see what they were made of.

During our greatest trials, God wants to know what we are made of.

Will we trust him, or reject him when he strips something away from us? Will we give into anxiety over the situation, or will we claim his perfect peace in the midst of the storm?

The Bible talks about taking a thought captive, but we must also take the situation captive. Instead of worrying, we should daily give it over to God. We have to admit we don’t understand what’s going on, but tell God we trust him with the results. We confess our lack of strength, and ask the LORD to provide what we need to cope.

I still struggle with tests. What about you? But we have to learn we are not in control, and worrying ourselves sick is unproductive. Daily give our uncertainty over to the Author and Perfecter of my Faith, because he is doing some purifying work in us through the test.

Through my greatest tests, God’s worked on building a stronger relationship with Him, my pride, and my prayer life. I would never want to trade the test results for a smoother, problem-free life.

So to pass the test, believe the Divine Teacher has the answer sheet, even though you don’t see it now. Trust he will one day reveal the answers when you emerge from the test. Understand God loves you and is always working good out of every trial.

During life’s tests, “A” stands for attitude.