Tested
If we challenge ourselves, we will make mistakes. If we try to do more than we can, we may fail.
My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing. Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity. Cling to him and do not depart, so that your last days may be prosperous. Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not stray, or else you may fall. You who fear the Lord, trust in him, and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. Consider the generations of old and see: has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed? Or has anyone persevered in the fear of the Lord and been forsaken? Or has anyone called upon him and been neglected? For the Lord is compassionate and merciful; he forgives sins and saves in time of distress. - Sirach 2:1-11
The lesson from Sirach is to stay the course, despite the trials and tribulations of the journey. Do not give up on God, nor should we give up on ourselves, if we are true to our purpose.
We are all tested in some way, and when pulled down, we may feel like giving up, but that is the time we need to be most determined to press on.
I don't believe the tests come from God, not while we are struggling to do His work. Perhaps he sends us a test when we stray or ignore His call, but when we set out to do what He has called us to do, tests come from somewhere else.
The world doesn't like to be tamed. It will fight us.
Right now, we are all fighting against the world in a way. It has unleashed a terror we are determined to avoid as long as possible, until we have the weapons to defeat it.
If only we could band together like that to fight every evil. Maybe this test will teach us something we have needed to learn for a long time.
More to come...