The Test!
How do you know if you passed the test? You might ask, what test, or which test? Many tests exist in life, but let’s talk about the one we face almost every day – the people test. Even if you live alone, you still face a test with yourself. You are a person.
Many years ago, while in a meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I felt the Spirit of God say to me, “Michele, love the people the way I do.” These words struck my heart because I did not love people the way God does. How did I know? Well, the list is too long to write.
Thankfully, over the years, God worked with my heart to love how He loves. It seemed to first start with patience, then letting go of offense, along with always having the last word. Don’t get me wrong, I have not arrived. In fact, just last week another test came along.
We are all different which means no magic formula exists to pass the people test, but some general guidelines apply that help us know if we passed the people test one person at a time. Let’s look at four guidelines that can help us pass the people test with flying colors!
1. As I mentioned, you can walk away without having the last word, not in your mouth or your thoughts. For example, maybe you muster up enough love to say the right thing in the thick of it, but when you walk away, your thoughts and words turn toxic. When we allow God to work His love in our hearts for others, we can say what we mean and mean what we say with love.
2. In conversation and actions you show respect and calmness in the face of a challenge. The people test is usually accompanied with words like I am right and you are wrong. If we are wrong, that is one thing, but if we are being falsely accused, staying calm becomes more challenging. Staying calm allows us to hear God in the matter, know what to say if anything, and love the person in the process.
3. You do not allow the challenging confrontation to cause you to have a bad attitude or behavior towards the person. The aftermath test comes hours later, days later, or even weeks later, when your thoughts about the incident remain pure, honest, and loving. The devil will come in and try to prove his point to make his point. Remember, he hates people and he hates the God who loves you.
4. You take no offense at what is said or done and walk away knowing you acted with love. The devil uses offense like a baseball to play catch. He will throw it at you making you think you have to catch it. Let it go. Love holds no wrongs. All we have to do is think about Jesus hanging on the cross and some of his last words. “Father, forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing.”
When you ask the Holy Spirit who lives inside you to help you in the area of the people test, He will. You will begin to notice growth in your life towards the ways of God. You find your actions kind, and gentle, and your words seasoned with salt and grace to the hearer. God is developing your character to be like His Son, Jesus.
I Peter 2:20-25 (NIV) gives us insight:
20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
What do we do if the other person won’t budge, or give at all? We stay the course and we pray. We are the only ones we can change. Maybe we can influence others towards the ways of God, but the change happens from the inside out. Our growth in God is only dependent on others due to how we act.
We take tests daily that involve people, people that God loves. Remembering this helps us not just to pass the test, but to look for tests to pass.
Until next time, remember to spend time with the Father. It is the matter of the heart, the heart of the matter.
Dr. Michele
October 27, 2024
