Taking Skinny For Granted: Testing, Testing, 1...2.....3

Source: http://newint.org/features/1999/08/05/testing/

As I wrote a post regarding my latest miscarriage, the Lord reminded me that although we are tried and tested, we are not consumed. He is with us always and we should NEVER become so carnally minded that we forget Jesus continues to intercede for us during our times of trial and testing.

We would like to believe that our trials can be completed just like tests we may take in school but God has another plan for our trials. Take for instance the instructions below for test taking. I found it therapeutic to compare it to what God says. I hope you do too.

Testing, Testing, 1...2....3

Step 1. Do Not Open the Test until you are ready to take it. Find a time to take the test in which you will be free from interruptions. Let friends and family know you will be occupied.

Ha! That is thing with the trials of life. We have no clue what time or place a test of life may occur. In school, tests are scheduled. We are told what to study for and how to prepare - we get a leg up. I'm not saying God doesn't prepare us for trials and test because he does. He tells us in scripture:

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So as we go through the trials of life, we have to remember, we may be going through the fire, but we still have children, jobs, husbands and every day life to STILL yet live. We cannot allow those things to become neglected. Ever.

The only thing step one is right about is letting friends and family know you will be occupied. God says we are not to suffer alone:

"Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? - Ecclesiastes 4:11

Don't do as I did. No one from my church family knew about what I was suffering through. I hadn't been to church in a month of Sundays. I used every excuse not to go. Then I got angry because no one really comforted me except someone I barely knew - which I am EXTREMELY thankful for.

How can people help, if you don't ask for it? If you are suffering, tell someone. We need each other. It is in our silence that the enemy is able to work on our hearts and minds to drive it into destruction.

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. - Hebrews 10:25

Step 2. Do Not Use the “Back” Button on Your Browser During the Test once you have begun taking it. Instead, use the button on the screen to move back to check earlier questions. Don’t close the window of the test for any reason.
If something goes wrong, send an e-mail to your professor immediately, documenting the exact problem and asking how you should proceed. Include your username and the course and section number.

That back button is something else. We like to keep looking at the past when we are going through something in the present, usually for a negative reason.

But what does God say: "But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." - Luke 9:62 NKJV

If you are going through a test, have acknowledge that you are going through "something", my friend, you have already put your hand to the plow. Looking back on past times, asking yourself why, thinking regretfully about opportunities missed will only cause more worry, depression and anxiety.

On the other hand, it is sometime GOOD to remember the times God has brought you through something. This type of remembrance teaches and reassures us that if God could do it for us that time, he can do it again. We only have to remember, and in faith, believe he is able to do more than we could ever hope for or ask.

Don’t close the window of the test for any reason.

Suicide is at an all time high. I would be a liar if I said this has never crossed my mind. It has. ~~Many times.~~ Too much. I decided to start journaling again. As I flipped through the pages of my journal (I've had it since meeting my husband) I realized that every, single, entry had the same theme - wretchedness. Hate. Wanting to die. Wanting to give up. Asking God what was wrong with me. I have been battling depression and was completely oblivious of it.

I have no idea when it started. I only know that the cold tentacles of despair have been choking me for years. How could I not know? Me, so full of faith and trust. Was I lying to myself? Yes. Was I hiding my sadness. Most definitely. Do I have to continue doing so? Holy no!

If something goes wrong, send an e-mail to your professor immediately, documenting the exact problem and asking how you should proceed. Include your username and the course and section number.

God tells us we are to cry out to him in our time of trouble. We can tell him anything! He knows us by name!

7 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.

But so many times our voices are silenced by mental health issues and our vision clouded by confusion. I would advise ANYONE suffering with mental health issues to not be silent but seek out help. Tell someone.

For me, I didn't want anyone to know. But there is hope. My husband I decided that I should seek professional help. But until that time, God is there. We may battle with illness, whether it be mental of physical, but God gave his life so that we may find strength in him.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Step 3. Review All of Your Answers Before Submitting the Quiz. Make sure you have not accidentally changed your response to a question or made a typographic mistake.

Oftentimes, when we pray about our situation, or take our issues to God, instead of leaving them there we take them with us, just to fret over them all over again. God doesn't tell us to cast our cares on him for nothing. He knows in our humanness we would like to be the fixer of every situation. But in our humanness, God knows that we can't. When we continuously try to do Gods job by carrying around our burdens, it can make us physically sick and confused.

If we trust and have true faith in God, then how can we second guess who he is and what he says he will do if we would only ask?

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

We also at times begin to second guess our decisions. When I went through my recent miscarriage, I blamed myself. A lot. I thought, if I had only quit my job, my baby would still be alive. I wished desperately that I had taken the steps to quit. But second guessing is not of God. We have to understand, that every decision, whether we think it is a good or bad decision, God is going to work it out for our good.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

Step 4. When you are satisfied with the result make sure you finish by clicking the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the screen. Click the Submit Button ONLY ONCE! After you submit the test answers, you will see a confirmation page that the test has been submitted.

I am so thankful our trials are not like tests in school or the real world. Although our trials may end, we can still thank God for all he has done for us. He tells us to count our blessings, to name them one by one. If we are strong and endure through our trials, God will exalt us, in his time.

We have to give the Lord time. That is one of my biggest issues. I want my result RIGHT NOW. And I try to get it myself if I don't hear from God on my time clock.

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

It is how we wait, that makes the difference. While we are waiting on the Lord, we should continue to praise him. Thank him for his goodness. Be content in our situation. I know it is hard. I want to pull the rest of my hair out sometimes. But I can go to God about that too.

We can go to him as many times as we want and he will have an ear for us. No matter what. That is his promise.