Tests

Yesterday I went to www.Biblegateway.com (which I highly recommend) and searched all of the passages (in NKJV) that talk about tests. I believe that the Lord is using the temptations I am having with my eating issues as tests. I knew that they therefore were good, but looking at all of these scriptures has really helped me to appreciate the tests. It has also given me a new perspective on testing. I think we have a misconception of the purpose of tests from the Lord because of how we view tests from school. In school, it's all about the test... or the grade you get on the test. But for the Lord, the test is a tool that He uses to purify us. To make us clean and beautiful for His Son.

Another cool thing is that as I searched the scriptures yesterday, I had no idea that He was going to use them to prepare me for more trials to come last night. Something that would have normally have been really difficult to deal with was much easier because the value of tests and refinement were already on the forefront of my mind. So, although I have put my thoughts in parenthesis and they mainly apply to my eating struggles, they also apply to any kind of test He may be taking us through. Thank You, Lord!

I hope these scriptures are helpful for you as well.

The LORD tests the righteous,But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Psalm 11:5 (He tests me because He loves me.)

For You, O God, have tested us;You have refined us as silver is refined. Psalm 66:10

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. Proverbs 17:3 (explains WHY...to refine/purify me. To cleanse me. There is a purpose!!)

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another. Isaiah 48:10-11 (Why? For His sake...that His name would not be profaned. That means it is all worth it!)

I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10 (Another purpose is so that He can reward me according to what is truly in my heart. This will be revealed during the test.)

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (This testing can prepare me for the BIG test to come...in the presence of the Lord.)

Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 (I am also to test all things.)

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son... Hebrews 11:17 (How do I pass the tests? By faith!)

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 (God uses trials to test us. Testing produces patience. It is possible to leave the test incomplete...I need to persevere to "let patience have its perfect work, that I may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." I feel this is very significant for me right now. Sometimes I feel like giving up and being satisfied with a measure of freedom when God has told me to persevere until there is COMPLETE FREEDOM!)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory... 1 Peter 1:6-8 (We go through trials because we need to--so that our faith can be refined to bring praise, honor and glory to Jesus whom we love...it is all for love. And the end result? Joy inexpressible!)