How to Handle Tests

I only have to watch my students take an exam to observe that there are lots of ways to handle tests. My students:

• Fidget—Some almost dance around in the chair. Some fiddle with their hair, necklace, etc. Some are in perpetual motion the whole test long.
• Talk—A few look like they’re talking out loud. Or, maybe they’re singing? I'm glad I can’t hear what’s going on!
• Look like the Mona Lisa—Some have sly smiles on their faces, like they’re thinking, “Mrs. Keiser, I know what you’re up to.”
• Smile—I mean, they’re outright enjoying the test. (Yes, these students are few and far between.)
• Scowl—Several knit their eyebrows together and scowl through the whole test.
• Cry—On occasion, I’ve seen tears. I am sincerely sorry.
• Have poker faces—Truly, some of my students could be thinking anything, and you’d never guess!
• Bite fingernails--To the quick! It is almost funny.
• Yawn--I'm not sure what this is saying about my tests.

My students handle tests in different ways.

And, so do Christians. Some of us:

• Scowl.
• Shake off problems.
• Take them very seriously.
• Fuss and become anxious and fidgety.
• Cry.
• Endure.
• Show joy.

The Bible assures Christians that trials will come. (They come to everyone, by the way.) We will face persecution, loss, and the normal, everyday trials that come with living in this world, with other people. It’s part of life.

So, what do we do when trials come? The Apostle Paul said something I’m not sure I fully comprehend: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (James 1:2). Joy? All joy? The next verse says, Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Oh, great, it’s so we’ll learn patience! Just what we’re supposed to be joyful about! I’m sure you’ve heard the old preacher cliché, “Don´t pray for patience. The Lord will send you some trials.” Well, I think it misjudges God a little, but the truth is, we learn patience by going through hardships.

Let’s look at some more Bible passages about handling tests and trials.

• Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:35, 37).
• Referring to the churches in Macedonia, Paul said, How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality (2 Corinthians 8:2).
• Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
• So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure (2 Thessalonians 1:4).
• That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).

When trials come, we should:

1. Depend on the Lord. Pray. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).
2. Realize that God can and will help us through any situation. In the context of being imprisoned and suffering, Paul said, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13).
3. Recognize that Jesus truly understands. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour (help, aid) them that are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).  Speaking of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews says, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
4. Know that God will not give you more than you can bear—with His help. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
5. Leave judgment and vengeance to God. O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke (Jeremiah 15:15). Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord (Romans 12:19).
6. Rest in the Lord’s care. Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
7. Be joyful. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice ... Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4, 6-7).
8. Keep a heavenly perspective. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

God bless you in whatever test you face today.