Signs from God usually involve a lot more than thunder and lightning, with some of the biggest tests being ones that you might not even recognize.
When the opportunity vanishes
It was finally happening. Whatever plans you had, you thought they were coming true, and you were so close to succeeding. But then it disappeared. That could be a test from the Almighty, and it kind of fits with some of the things He has done in Scripture.
Look at Paul’s story, for example. He tried to do one thing and then another, but God blocked both routes before eventually opening a different door. Paul didn’t realize it at the time, though. Learn from that lesson and try not to force open any closed doors.
Back at the same corner
Old habits are old for a reason, and it’s so easy to slip back into doing them. They’re just so comfortable. However, you’ve got to resist falling back into any old traps because they could actually be a test from God, but not in the way you might expect. He’s not tempting you.
That’s Satan’s job. The test here is to see what you’re going to do and whether you’ve got the courage to say no to those old habits. Try doing some simple things, like leaving the room or texting someone. Have something to eat, too, because sometimes, it’s as basic as that.
When nobody claps
We all feel a special kind of tired when we keep doing the right thing, but without any applause. It could be that you help other people without them knowing, or maybe that you stay patient when you didn’t need to, doesn’t matter. You stuck it out. For what?
For, as it turns out, the fact that God might be testing you to see how faithful you really are. He doesn’t forget people being faithful, and He’s trying to see how you react when nobody’s rewarding you. Keep at it. Keep doing good things.
The thing got too heavy
It’s easy to get frustrated when it feels like God’s taking away good things from you, like a job that you loved or a relationship you were invested in. He is doing that. But there’s a reason for it, and it’s usually because that good thing had become too big for you.
Look at Israel in the Bible as an example. The people had to learn how to trust each day by eating manna, a kind of bread, when they were wandering the desert. They had to learn to make do. So, remember that you’re being taught to depend on today instead of forever.
The little shortcut
Nobody would know. It’s what makes things so difficult sometimes, because you could easily do the wrong thing and never get found out for it. But remember that it’s a test, just like the one that Daniel faced in Babylon, where God’s seeing whether you can do the right thing.
The small acts of wrongdoing matter too, you know. You’ve got to remember that even when it feels like nobody would know, you would know that you did the wrong thing. God would know, too. Stay motivated and remember that He’s testing you, so make the right decision.
Everyone else is already there
Waiting is hard, and nobody’s denying that. It’s even harder to do when you see that things are advancing for everyone else, where they’re getting married and promoted. When is it going to be your turn? Don’t focus on that because, as it turns out, the delay is to test your patience.
That’s not all, though. God’s testing your jealousy, and He’s trying to see whether you’re capable of not comparing yourself to other people. Keep your eyes on the prize. Doesn’t matter that someone might already have theirs because, the truth is, you’ll get yours soon enough.
After you already said yes
You already obeyed. Yes, you agreed to make the change and do what you were supposed to, but life seems to have stopped now. While you might feel stuck, it’s times like these that you should look at the Bible, specifically Abraham’s story.
He followed God’s orders and still found himself waiting for the promise of Isaac. Turns out, obedience could mean waiting, years of it, in fact. It’s a test of your patience. Wait for yeses to grow because they will, even if it takes a while for it to happen.
Prayers with no spark
There are days when, no matter how much you try, your faith feels dry, even empty. You pray. It doesn’t get answered. You read the Bible. You don’t feel moved. But don’t feel hopeless because you’re not the first person to feel spiritually empty after still trying.
God’s testing you to see how faithful you really are. Are you the kind of person who genuinely has faith in Him, or are you the person who needs constant proof to believe? It’s okay to feel this way. Keep it simple and do what you can, while also remembering that a dry season isn’t failure.
The easy road has a catch
The easy path is one thing. The easy road, where you ignore God for five minutes, is something else, and even Jesus was offered shortcuts in the wilderness. He didn’t take them, though. You might be given short-term relief or hacks, but it’s important that you don’t take them.
God’s testing whether you’re able to stick it out for the long haul. Prove to Him that you can do it. Slow down and remember that, whatever you’re doing, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Nothing good came from something easy, and nothing easy is good.
The power is finally yours
Power’s one of the most toxic things you can get, and God knows that. It’s why He’s testing you by giving you power over someone who hurt you or treated you badly in the past. You’ve got the chance to make them feel small. However, it’s absolutely vital that you don’t take it.
Don’t take revenge and don’t try to dish out your own form of justice to them because it’s only going to hurt you. It’s also a test from God to check how fair you can be. Think about how you’d feel in that position and make the right decision, simple as that.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
