God Permits Testing
1 Peter 4:12, “Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.” (AMP)
Yes, God permits testing. Testing is a huge part of our life. Although, the majority of the time it is not perceived as testing, but rather, misfortune, mistakes, persecution and even punishment. Tests and trails are a part of our journey with God. However, doesn’t it seem like tests and trials come at the worst time possible? They really come without warning or a “heads up”. But I’m convinced that if we can adjust our perspective, we can endure tests and not loose our peace and our focus as well.
This is what I know about tests…
- It creates opportunity for development in our character.
- It determines what we know.
- It exposes weaknesses and strengths.
- It reveals what needs to change.
- It improves our abilities.
- It develops endurance.
- It allows promotion to come.
Metals are purified, tried and tested in order to improve their value. The purification and testing process of gold increases its value dramatically.
You too are being tried and tested. But it is not without the permission and direction of God. What struggle are you facing? Where is the pressure coming from? Friend, God is allowing your test because He is preparing you for something great. You have huge potential inside of you. The potential cannot be of any value until you go through a testing and proving process. With the right attitude, your testing will bring out God’s best in you.
F.B. Meyer made this statement in regards to the famine that Abraham was faced with, “Do not be surprised if a famine meets you. It is no proof of your Father’s anger, but is permitted to come to test you — or to root you deeper, as the whirlwind makes the tree grapple its roots deeper into the soil.”
I love that statement, because that is exactly what occurs when we endure tests and trials with a healthy perspective of God and what is happening in our lives. So may I offer a word of encouragement to you? Keep on. Don’t give in to a poor attitude. Look up! Put your game face on! As you’re going through your test, look for God opportunities. Expect promotion to come. Be watchful for refreshing times in God’s presence. You will endure, and greatness will come!
Blessings,
Pastor Shannon
Good word pastor. Reminded me of this story:
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” -Malachi 3:3
This verse puzzled some people in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the folks offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the person called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. They didn’t mention anything about the reason for their interest beyond the curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As they watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained, “in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.”
The person thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then they thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
Asking the silversmith, “is it true that you have to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined?” The man answered “yes…” He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The person was silent for a moment and then asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.”
That’s great! Good Word!
Amen! Good word Pastor! One of my friends was just hit with a test and we were talking about it yesterday. I likened it to walking down the road and getting hit by a bus.
It came out of nowhere, and at first he got angry, but after we talked about it he realized that the reason he got hit like that is because Satan knows where he is in his walk with God. And that the anger that was brought out of it was from Satan because Satan knows how to push his buttons and knows where his weaknesses are. My friend is at a crossroads, he is seeking Gods will for his life and finding some open doors to go through, just at the cusp of a huge breakthrough in a new ministry. So, realizing where he is with God and where God is preparing to take him, he now understands fully why at this specific time Satan is attacking him so hard. He is now more equipped to battle the enemy and complete the trial that God allowed to come into his life, and not only that, he has broken through the anger and is going through the trial with a joy and peace because he knows that God is greater than the enemy, and that God would not allow him to go through anything that he couldn’t handle, and that God is just preparing his heart and his mind for the ministry that he is pursuing! Just like you said Pastor, God is sending him through the fire so that he might come out purified and prepared for the next step! I’m going to send him a link to your blog. 
God Bless!
-Tim
Right on!