Fear No Fear

“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts” (Proverbs 17:3, MEV). God doesn’t give exams. God allows tests. The difference is that God isn’t seeing whether or not we will fail (exam). He allows tests in order for US to see that He has provided everything we need to succeed (1 Corinthians 10:13). He provides us with His armour (Ephesians 6:10-18), His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), and His Word which transforms us (Romans 12:2), enabling us to reject broken thinking and engage His point of view (1 Corinthians 2:16). Instead of being things to dread, these ‘tests’ are things to look forward to. They are NOT always comfortable, but they ARE always beneficial. They help us to see the WEALTH of things that God has already given us to get us a passing grade. To help us see how we can stand in Jesus, stand on the Word, and succeed through Jesus’ completed work. They are testaments to us – again and again – of God’s love for us and everything that He provides to us because of His love for us.