Why Does God Test Us? (3 Reasons)
Do you have a sense that God has been testing you? God does not tempt us, but he does put us through tests to help us grow and build our character. Maybe you’ve been asking the question, “Why does God test us?” We’ll look at three reasons for God’s tests today.
The following words are taken directly from our new mother-daughter devotional book, Heart to Heart. Find this book here today! Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God and experience his presence.
Why Does God Test Us?
“God left him alone only to test him, so that He might know everything that was in his heart.”
2 Chronicles 32:31
About 10 years ago, I sensed God calling me to start writing professionally. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but this was different. I sensed that I was to use writing as a way to directly minister to others and help them experience God’s love.
I assumed this meant God was immediately going to lead me to write a book and acquire a publishing contract with a traditional publishing company. I started working on a book, and six months later, I presented it to a handful of literary agents and publishers.
Sadly, no one wanted my book.
I felt disappointed, but I decided to keep writing, believing that God would soon open the right door for me to secure a publishing contract. I’ll spare you the details. Let me just say that I spent the next decade writing “practice books” that were all rejected by publishing companies. To this day, I’ve written at least 15 practice books—books that will never be published.
Finally, after years of hard and hidden work, God opened the right door for me to begin publicly sharing my books and publishing them.
The Purpose of God’s Tests
As I reflect on the years I spent writing practice books that will never see the light of day, I have a clear sense of God’s purpose for those years of hidden writing: God was testing me. He was seeing whether I would keep going in the face of rejection, failure, and disappointment. He was building my tenacity and refining me. God also used those years to help me hone the craft of writing.
Today’s Focus Verse says that God tested King Hezekiah to see what was in his heart. God doesn’t tempt us to sin, but he does test us to see what’s in our hearts. He is looking for followers who will stick with him when the going gets tough. He’s looking for people who trust him when circumstances don’t make sense. He’s looking for people who don’t quit in the face of discouragement.
You might be feeling tempted to give up in some area of your life right now. Maybe you’re worn out, and you’re ready to turn your back on God. It might feel like God has gone silent or abandoned you.
Remember this: God never abandons his children (Deuteronomy 31:6). He is fighting for you (Exodus 14:14). What feels like silence from God might be his way of testing you to see what’s in your heart. Commit to sticking with him and pressing on by faith. I can personally attest to the glory that comes on the other side of the testing.
Let’s examine three Scriptures about why God tests us.
Why Does God Test Us? (3 Scriptures)
1. God’s tests develop our character.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4, ESV
It’s not easy to wait on God in times of testing. This verse reminds us that we can rejoice amid these tests because they produce endurance, character, and hope.
This isn’t easy to swallow, but affliction is God’s primary tool for helping us grow into maturity.
Are you weary from waiting on God? Are you tired of suffering?
Don’t lose heart. God is using this time to help you grow in character and maturity. He will use this time of testing for your good and his glory. Without the work that is taking place in your heart today, you won’t have the character you need to step into your dream when the time is right.
Without the work that is taking place in your heart today, you won't have the character you need to step into your dream when the time is right. #suffering #tests #faith Share on X2. God’s tests help us grow in faith.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4
No matter how difficult your life feels today, Jesus is still walking with you. He won’t leave your side.
You can rest in the promise that Jesus is with you. He is protecting you, defending you, and loving you. You can trust him to deliver you at the right time.
God’s tests help us learn to trust in him when our circumstances feel bleak. Through testing, we learn that God is always with us. We grow closer to him. If we keep our hearts soft toward him, refusing to take offense toward him, our faith is deepened through times of testing.
No matter what your season of waiting looks like, rest in the promise that Jesus is with you. He is protecting you, defending you, and loving you. You can trust him to deliver you at the right time. #waiting #patience Share on X3. God’s tests make us stronger.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Do you feel weary? Are you tired of waiting? Keep looking to God.
Wait on the Lord, and he will give you strength. Additionally, Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us of what to do while we wait: We don’t lean on our human understanding or reasoning. Instead, we trust that God’s ways are perfect. We keep looking to him while we wait, and we trust that he will light the paths in front of us.
When we endure God’s tests by looking to him, these times of testing make us stronger. We learn that God’s power is made perfect when we are weak. God uses these tests to remove the impurities from our hearts, and we emerge changed.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Calling All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God
God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. 
