Lead Strong: Leadership Lessons From The Bible - Part 2Sample

Leaders Are Tested

When I was in college, my least favorite words to hear from my professor was, “You’ll be having a test next week!” Yet, each semester, whether I liked it or not, I was required to take a test many times. And every time I heard those words, I cringed. I knew that I had been given all the information; but now it was time to show that I had learned it. Ugh.

And in our leadership walk with God, we also go through a testing process.

Why? Is it meant to scare us? No, it’s meant to strengthen us. You see, God already knows what’s coming, the tough decisions we’ll have to make, the obstacles that we’ll be facing, the challenges in our marriages and with our children…and He needs for us to be prepared, aware and ready.

Testing is just an indication of what we know and how we apply it. And each time we go through the test, we advance to the next chapter to learn more content to eventually take another test, and advance to the next chapter, and so on. So testing just shows that we’ve learned so that we can continue moving ahead.

However, the concept of being tested by God can sound like such a scary thing. Maybe it’s because we’re afraid we won’t know it all; maybe it’s because we’re apprehensive about passing; maybe it’s because we don’t want to disappoint God or maybe we’re afraid of the discomfort that testing brings.

A.W. Tozer said this, “God never uses anyone greatly until he tests them deeply.”

God doesn’t want us to be fear-filled, he wants us to be peace-filled. James 1:12 tells us that, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing…” So let’s not be afraid of God’s testing of us but be content in God’s purpose for us.

If we could always audibly hear God’s voice, I believe our tests would come in the form of questions such as, “Would you let go of that offense and forgive her?” or “Did you step out in faith when I asked?” or “Are you continuing to leading with love and compassion” or “Would you just trust me next time?”

You see, God’s tests will always be to see if we’re ready, not to see if we’re worthy. Rest in that today.

By Linda Seidler