The Calm Before the Test
There’s a place of peace that precedes a wealth of stormy testing – God never begins before we’re ready.
So, if you’re tested in a dark night surround, take heart, you’re ready for it. God has deemed you competent for it; though many times we can feel incompetent – failure becoming us for the sharp abyss of self-doubt. Still, it remains; with a quick reminder to the affirmative we’re actually good for the testing. It’s purposed for our growth.
If God brings the test we should know, intellectually, we’re ready.
TESTING – A MOMENTOUS OCCASION
As we embark, we learn as we go. That’s okay.
Momentary failure is not the final word – we should never pronounce that evil upon ourselves.
Instead, we go forth knowing full well the enormity, the value, and the fear involved, in and of the testing. We anticipate it. But, let’s understand, there’s no home-ground advantage anymore; we’re playing away.
If we don’t underestimate it or be overawed by it, we’re mentally and physically ready. Strength has an unremitting ruthlessly honest balance about it.
In God’s name we can succeed, as we recall the words of Winston Churchill: “If you’re going through hell, keep going!”
The perception of testing is that it’s hell. Just as easily, however, we can fast-forward to the benefit we’re already receiving from it.
Now, appreciate the calm that comes before arduous times. Rest and prepare.
Pause – Don’t Panic
Our feelings are quick to betray us, as our reptilian and mammalian brains hold sway when times are tense. If we react, we hurt; we make things worse. We’ll have cause for remorse.
Having the wherewithal to respond in a calm, considered way is our goal.
We do this when we:
- Have sufficient head and heart space from an unhurried perspective.
- Understand that their reaction to us was made because they, perhaps, lacked the composure they wished they had had.
- Understand that any ‘reaction’ on our part, other than an objective mature one, will backfire.
- Bear the word “pause” firmly in mind, even if it seems it would cause us to lose the moment. Later, we may very well be thankful we did pause.
The higher-order (Neocortex) brain is the one empowering us to absorb any of the hurt that has hit us – whether by matter of a direct attack or because our egos have been pummelled.
The Neocortex brain is the wise, mature mind. It can be employed anytime by any of us. We simply ponder the action before committing to it. We commit it to prayer, even as the moment unfolds.