No Testimony Without Test

The older we get, the responsibilities and challenges we face get bigger and more difficult. Just when things have finally been going well for a while, something or someone comes along and turns our world upside down.

I’m sure you have heard the wise saying passed down from older generations that, “There is no testimony without a test.” A lot of times during tranquil moments, we stop praying or thinking about what God has done for us. We stop thanking Him and then when a “test” comes along we start calling on Him and expect Him to come running! God wants to know if we can trust him even in the midst of our troubles, heartbreaks, disappointments, grief, whatever it may be! How is He going to find that out or develop that in us, if we are not tested? He wants us to love Him all the time and not just for what He can do for us. Some people, including me at times, take on these victimized mentalities which cloud the things which should be the true focus. “What did I do to deserve this?” “Why is this happening to me now of all times?” I look at my plate and how full it is and I get overwhelmed! I don’t need to look at the plate though, I need to look to God and remember that He can do the impossible!

The tests that we encounter in life are essential to helping us appreciate good times more, teaching us life lessons and giving us a testimony to share. Whenever you find yourself dealing with really difficult times, remember that in order for there to be a valley, there has to be two mountains