Testing. The Subject We Avoid.

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Genesis 22:1

I’ve spoken with three women, just this week, who believe God is testing them. He’s led each of them into the wilderness and the pain and pressure seem unbearable. Whether I am a new Christian or a seasoned believer, a time of testing challenges my view of God and how He loves His children. How can He say that I am the apple of His eye yet test me with pain? Can it really be that the resulting faith is so valuable that the testing is really a loving act, not a cruel one?

I’m about to enter the story of Abraham’s testing period. He’s asked to sacrifice his own son on the altar. It’s inconceivable that God would ask such a thing, isn’t it?  So, I’m letting my unrest stand this morning. Questions are good. And though I already know the end of the story, Abraham didn’t. Like him, when testing comes, the pain that comes with it unearths the hidden things of my heart. What can stay conveniently veiled in good times erupts under stress. Lies and accusations abound when I may be unaware such things exist in my own soul. Perhaps this is one of the ‘gifts’ that testing offers.

I’m jumping into the deep end of the pool. There are no shallow answers. I hope you’ll join me for the next week as we feel the pain of a father’s heart. He is torn by his love for God and his love for his son. They appear to be mutually exclusive.

Let’s feel the tension. If you are in the middle of testing, it’s okay to allow your own questions to surface. God will lead us through the minefields and the experience will be profitable, not only to us, but to the people we encourage on the other side..

Lord, I want You to speak to me through this story. Only Your voice, Lord. Reveal Yourself and give me the treasures of the darkness. Amen