“Without a test we couldn’t have a testimony” is a true saying.  All we could share is that we’ve never been tested, which would be cold comfort to anyone facing severe trials. One of the most comforting things we know about Yeshua is that He too was tested – tempted in all the same ways that we are (Hebrews 4:15) yet He was victorious. He passed every test presented to Him as a Man living among men, and then His words to Peter were recorded for us, “Indeed, (the adversary) has demanded to sift you all like wheat. But I have prayed for you … that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back (when you have passed the test – even if you had to sit it three times) strengthen your brothers.”  Later, He had Sha’ul add, “God … will not allow you to be tempted (tested) beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (and make testimonies from the tests).

Before sharing some testimonies from testing, let me comment on three aspects from an academic testing perspective. First, some academic tests used to be set with a ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality. Examiners had no personal interest in whether students passed or failed. Secondly, it was assumed that teachers had done all their work before students sat the test. In the examination room no teacher dared intervene. Thirdly, students who failed the test may not have been able to re-sit.

However, there are huge differences with the tests that Yeshua allows His disciples to face. First, God has vetted every test set for us because He does care and want us to succeed; hence His promise about not allowing us to be tested beyond our ability. Secondly, in God’s examination room the atmosphere is permeated with “Behold, I am with you always…” which means these are Teacher-aided tests. Thirdly, our ‘passing’ of the test sooner or later is almost guaranteed – even if it means reviewing teacher-highlighted ‘course material’ and correcting mistakes right there, or taking a break for that review and re-sitting the test later. (John 14:26, Isaiah 41:10, Proverbs 3:1-4, Joshua 1:8)

That said, here’s my January-to-May-2021 story… tests and testimonies. Mike and I were in Jamaica to minister to family there, which we’d done for almost three months until the last week of January. Then we went to a resort for our 47^th anniversary, January 26. There we enjoyed witnessing to someone about God and His blessings on our marriage.  However, instead of leaving the hotel on cloud nine, I became ill there and left unwell.

The next three months were a nightmare of worsening pain and other symptoms; family doctor, ER and specialist visits; diagnostic tests and treatment procedures multiplied. Finally, two specialists reached the elusive diagnosis of partial small intestine blockage being the critical issue. By the end of April I’d had only liquids for weeks, and they determined that I needed surgery. However, they couldn’t pinpoint the exact location of the problem, so I consented to a laparotomy– a large abdominal surgery- to repair a small hernia and address whatever else was found.

Meanwhile, our Teacher-Helper had already showed up in our ‘exam room’! First, He brought news of a totally unexpected (and still unexplained) check delivered to our mailbox in Canada, in the amount totaling our medical bills already paid out-of-pocket because we had insufficient health insurance in Jamaica. Then, as news of my suffering reached Canadian and Jamaican brethren, we received encouraging prayers of faith, supernatural relief at times of crisis, and prophetic words that ministered to my inner-woman. Also, Mike was propelled into a new level of intercession and I was propelled into a new level of readiness for possible departure. In that readiness I resolved to witness to some extended-family members for whom we’d continually prayed but never directly shared the Gospel with them. Being far away, I emailed them a ‘witnessing’ epistle to redeem lost time. Then, our final specialist referral reconnected Mike with an old school-mate, securing for me the best available surgeon while our Jamaican church connection secured the best anesthesiologist.

Two prophetic words I’d received stuck with me. An 80-year-old at Shalom Restoration Fellowship said in a Zoom prayer meeting that God was about to show me His love in a way that He’d never shown me before. Then a Spiritually gifted MD said in a Jamaican Zoom prayer meeting that I was suffering heartache over our son’s illness and another family tragedy, and needed healing for that heartache as it was contributing to my illness; but she also saw what seemed like ‘angels’ hands’ ministering to my back. The part about my emotional burden rang true, and I was grateful for the ensuing prayers, but I felt there was more to the illness than that could explain. The other part brought to mind Mike’s rubbing my back in his efforts to help my abdominal pain. Perhaps the ‘angels’ hands’ included his, for Mike had truly been angelic.

The April 27^th surgery revealed a hidden, immediately life-threatening tumor, and proved more complicated than previously thought. Then my blood pressure plummeted dangerously. The anticipated two days in hospital became seven, but my life had literally been saved through divinely orchestrated intervention.  All that remained was a huge bill, but by the day of discharge God had addressed that too! Our Jamaican and Canadian congregations had offered monetary gifts, and- wonder of wonders- when we got home, we received a call saying that the surgeon and anesthesiologist had both waived their fees! Taking to my knees in tearful amazement, I gushed thanksgiving to Abba for His great love shown in this million-dollar way that was so new to me! Further contributions from our own children reduced the medical bills to just what Abba knew we could manage from savings.   HalleluYah!  Now comes the healing…