The Test

A test: something that measures mastery of knowledge and skill. Most of the time, not all, but most, even though we see them coming, they can be stressful.

School exams, driver’s license test - can be stressful.

Teaching college classes: What’s on the test? Study to the test and expect to see questions. My day in school, like many of yours: anything covered in the time since the last test is fair game.

Then there are the tests that when, not if they happen, no one can prepare for: a family crisis, divorce, job loss

A Pandemic and social disruption

And here we are: the most important test of our skill and even character that we could have never prepared for. It’s a big deal and it is stressful.

In a time of testing there are trials

Trial: The changes we experience when life is disrupted because of the test

Testing + trial = Stress

Low energy

Become irritable, even angry

Can become sick

Overwhelmed

Worry

Can’t focus or have trouble making decisions

More anxious

COVID 15

Withdraw - relationally, church stats

How is the kingdom moving in these times? How do we find clarity through the unknown?

James 1:1–8 ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

What’s the Fun in That?

When you run into a time of testing and are weighed down by the trials brought about by the disruption of life, and up to your eyeballs in stress it is time to celebrate!

Why?

Testing is a way of proving genuineness and integrity of our faith - trust in God (1 Peter 1:6-7)

We said:

We can’t prepare for them, but rather fall into them

In a time of testing there are trials: The changes we experience when life is disrupted because of the test

Testing + trial = Stress

Testing doesn't determine whether we have faith or not; rather it strengthens the faith that is already there. 3 - Why? It's how we become complete, whole. Grow, mature. How our faith becomes genuine.

It's a process similar to that of silver or gold that is refined by fire.

Hardship is the process/means by which faith, tested in the fires of adversity, can be purified of impurities and be strengthened.

Romans 5:3-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7. Suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character.

Outcome: Heroic Endurance

It's not a meek, passive submission to circumstances, but a strong, active, challenging response in which the realities of life in Christ are proven in practice/by what we do.

Let endurance have its full effect - maturity of character; wholeness of life.

Choices

We said:

We can’t prepare for them, but rather fall into them

In a time of testing there are trials: The changes we experience when life is disrupted because of the test

Testing + trial = Stress

Testing doesn't determine whether we have faith or not; rather it strengthens the faith that is already there.

And we have choices to make when, not if, it happens.

Discovered not long ago in my life that if I’m not addressing a challenge, obstacle, or test, I’m not growing. I also discovered that in the times I’ve tried to put an end to it, the results haven’t been great.

My lesson: Don't take short cuts.

Growth/maturity is a process so

Peterson in the Message

4 - Don't try to rush your growth/maturity. Don't try to get out of a time of testing prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed.

Takes Wisdom To Go Through

How do we heroically endure the COVID and societal disruption test where there are trials that bring stress so that our faith/trust in God is strengthened?

IT TAKES WISDOM.

An entire set of scripture (Wisdom Literature) including Ecclesiastes and Job. It's needed to take on the tests.

When Moses delegated some of his authority to newly appointed judges, he chose “wise, understanding, and experienced men” (Dt 1:13).

These were people who, through their relationship with God, developed their minds, expanded their knowledge, gained an understanding of both the meaning of life and how that life must be lived practically and skillfully.

Ask For it

How did they get there?

Every test that they fell into - and there were a lot - where there was a trial that brought stress, they did this:

Proverbs 2:3–6 ESV

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

-Seek it as if it's the most valuable thing in your life

5 - Wisdom which is seen in actions is given without reservation.

God is unreserved and unwavering in his intent to give wisdom to those who ask. Not playing games. He doesn't hold back because of past failures or remind us, "you know how valuable this is, better take care of it.

-Through others

-Scripture

-Spirit

When You Do, Expect To Deal With Doubt

Doubt: It’s Not What You Think it is

Different kinds of doubt?

Not the opposite of faith.

Rather, exists within faith

Doubt is: Conflict in Loyalties

Keeping options open; fickle

War in the Soul. Rabbis identified this warring in the soul to believe one way now and another way later.

Wavering - paralysis by analysis

Arguing with ourselves

Restless; not committed to the direction

All the possibilities: blow here and there - blow up; fanned to a boiling point; tossed around, colliding like molecules in boiling water.

This is lacking Faith - Not being without it but being a divided person.

Unable to receive (not that God doesn't give it).

Walking in Wisdom Through This Testing That Leads to Heroic Endurance

6 - 8 Ask for wisdom (what to do) and when you have it, trust where it came from and that it came from God without wavering (doubt) and go.

Ask with confidence, believe that what comes is what God provided with confidence and then go with confidence. Use the skill we’ve been given.

Never going to be able to thrive and grow if we don't step into the tests we can’t prepare for, adapt to the changes trials bring, trust the wisdom or skill God provides, and put in the work with singular loyalty to Jesus Christ.

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