God put Abraham to the test. Genesis 22:1
I always feel anxious before a test, no matter what kind or how prepared I am. I observe this in others, too: students, job applicants, even hospital patients. There’s something about being tested that hits us at our very core.
Perhaps the fear stems from our feelings of inadequacy and vulnerability. We remember our past failures and are tempted to despair. But to do so is to fall into a self-fulfilling prophecy. After all, how can we overcome our challenges if we don’t pick ourselves up and try again?
This is probably why God “puts us to the test”: without a challenge placed in front of us, we will never know what we are capable of. It’s less a matter of proving ourselves to God than an opportunity to gauge (and practice) how we actively demonstrate our faith. With each new test, we have a chance to raise the bar. We’re still afraid—and may always be—but with God’s grace, the results will continue to improve.
God, give me the strength to grow in knowledge of you and the courage to take your test when it is placed before me.
Julia DiSalvo
Originally published July 5, 2007
