Strength For the Test

My son attends an online school. This year, our state passed legislation that allowed full-time online schools to do state testing at home. However, there are particular requirements for the testing environment.

There were the obvious rules: a working computer camera and microphone, no outside help or prompting from people during the test, and the test is through an online kiosk with no internet browsers open. The final rule was that there had to be complete silence: no talking or barking dogs. If noise is detected, the person who is the testing monitor will immediately stop the test, and you are required to test at an in-person testing site.

I will be the first to tell you I’m a loud person. I talk loudly, shut doors loudly, and always bang around in the kitchen, clanging pots and pans. It’s hard for me to be quiet. So, this silent testing requirement was a genuine challenge for me. I became really mindful of the noise I was making. I tried my best to be quiet when needed.

Then, I began to ponder how this related to my spiritual life. When tested, am I silent so that I can hear God’s instructions? Or am I making too much noise and being disruptive? Am I interrupting the work God is trying to do during my test?

God wants us to persevere during periods of testing in our lives. He will help us be silent during our test when needed. But it will require us to lean on him for strength. He will give us that strength, perseverance, and reward of receiving a crown of life. God will give strength to his people in every test of life.

Dear God, help me to pause and be silent during the tests of life. Give me strength for every situation I face. Amen.

Throughout this Day: Thank God that he will give strength and perseverance for every test you face. Ask him for what you need in any particular area right now.