Biblical history proves that God often uses hardship to test His chosen. But sometimes it is difficult for Christians to tell whether their trial is a test from God.

Aside from the hardships that come naturally on your Christian journey, there are also more than a few tricky situations that God uses to test your commitment and resiliency. Hence, as you navigate this narrow path, it is important that you understand that not every trial you face is designed to destroy you. The Bible says, ..” the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” (Hebrews 12:6).

For example, Job 1: 1-3 states, “There once was a man named Job, who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.”

Bible Gateway, NKJV

Still yet, God allows Satan to visit terrible trials upon Job to test him. And in a short period, Job’s lost all his livestock, then a desert wind blows down his house, killing all of his ten children. And when Job keeps his faith in God, Satan double down and afflicts him with painful sores all over his body. Unable to help her husband, Job’s wife urges him to curse God and die. Instead, Job stays true to his commitment to God.

And in the end, “the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” ( Job 42:10)…He lived for another 140 years.