I became very ill on January 3rd . I had all the symptoms that led me to believe I had contracted COVID-19: a high fever, chills, body aches, coughing, and so on. Monday, my husband, Scott, took me to get a COVID test. On January 7th the test came back negative. My symptoms persisted on and off for the next week. Scott still believes I had COVID and that the test is not completely accurate. We really are dealing with the unknown.

This made me think about all the tests I have been subjected to throughout my life, or that I subject myself to: aptitude tests, medical tests, personality tests, vehicle crash tests (kidding!), pregnancy tests, stress tests, etc. Why do I take tests? Academic testing is a critical checkup to assure learning is on track. Medical tests are necessary to assess many conditions and discover
deficiencies or diseases. If testing helps me discover important things about myself, then when God tests me, He does it out of love.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts (Proverbs 17:3). The New Living Translation says, Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. I am quite sure that I fear being tested because I am afraid I may fail, but my battle with sin was won through Christ’s death and resurrection. Christ has passed the test for me!

The objective of testing is to discover the truth. Have I learned what was taught? Am I healthy or do I need treatment? When the Lord tests me and I fall short, through His Word and Sacraments, He reminds me of His love and forgiveness, and I learn once again to trust in Him. My faith is precious to my Father in heaven and my faithfulness is rewarded as I experience His peace and joy. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). I may deal with the unknown in this life but my faith in Christ is grounded in Scripture. I know the Lord is my Creator, Christ is my Savior, and heaven is my home.

Let me be clear. I do not enjoy being tested, whether it’s a blood test, an intelligence test, or an event in life given to test my faith. I am certain, however, that I am weak and I need to lean on the One who I trust above all else. His strength becomes my strength. His victory is mine as well.

How have you been tested lately? Trust in the Teacher!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–11).