Tested

These days I have stopped to think about the tests that God allows us to pass and I have found that there are two types of tests that affect the human being the most:

1. Temptations: Satan or our own flesh try to seduce us towards evil, this would not be possible if we did not have the tendency to sin (James 1:14).

2. Tribulations: When we are passing the test it is difficult to feel joy, but as time passes, we realize that everything was a plan and that He had a purpose with preparing us for what is to come and so that we can serve Him in a useful way and it is through trials that God transforms our character for his purposes. (Exo 16.4) Sometimes, it is the way that God uses to get us closer to Him, since these situations force us to seek Him with all our hearts.

When we come to the feet of Christ many trials come into our life, Satan tempts us to see if we fall because he does not remain calm when he loses a soul; God for his part allows us to be tested so that we understand what our position is on the path of faith, if it is genuine and if we persevere even through the test. He, who searches hearts, already knows it because nothing escapes the control of God (1 Cor 10.13)

We are not prepared for the tests, we were created to live in Eden, but we failed. We resist being tested and this is natural. The Lord Jesus taught us to pray saying: “And do not lead us into temptation… (Mt. 6:13). But we need to pass tests because God wants to prepare us for something that will not be revealed to us until we submit and sing praises in through pain like Paul did in jail.

This was one of the men most used by the Holy Spirit to testify to the greatness of God and went through harsh psychological and physical tests (2 Cor 12.7-10), but he always remained “As seeing the invisible” as well as Moses. (He 11.24-27)

From the trials we always come out stronger and move to a new dimension on the path of faith. Our brothers are a support for these moments, as they intercede for us in prayer.

Some people interpret the tests as punishment from God for sins committed. This is not so, as a good and loving Father, He educates. Our sins have consequences and we must receive discipline, God only exercises us so that we can resist. (Heb 12.11)

Let's look at Job, there was no sin! We don't have to do anything for God to allow us to be tempted and in this way test our faith. But he did not waver and God allowed him to go through fire to test him, his steadfastness in God made him worthy of being fully restored (Job 6.8-13)

God has purposes beyond what we can imagine, only that he has his time for everything and it is not our time, we have to learn to wait on him.

If a test is hard, that is the disease. Those who have gone through this have had to get up many times and that implies courage and faith, an excellent legacy for those who receive the testimony. These "goads" (2 Cor 12.7-10) allow us to show others the scope of faith. Have you ever thought how many suffering people leave this world without Jesus? We could have a ministry with the thorn that God nails in our flesh if we concentrate on asking God to show us how to serve Him through the tribulation, because if we have a guarantee it is that He always accompanies us and this path has only one end, eternal life.

Jesus, as a man, was put to the test of temptation. The same Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness for that purpose (Matt. 4: 1–11). This fact shows that the Lord's temptation was intended, on God's side, to test his human quality, however, Satan's purpose was to seduce to lead to sin and destroy the work of God.

Whenever you take stock of the trials God is allowing you to pass, stop and look toward Calvary. He did not deserve what we did to him and yet he never asked why, he only surrendered and endured the test, but he achieved victory over Satan and is always ready to help us (Mt 11.28-30)