Failing an Important Exam
Failing an important exam can be a very frustrating experience. Throughout many generations those who were educated held high social prestige. To a certain extent, this still continues to be the order of the day. Therefore, failing an exam can really throw off our youngsters. In poor, struggling societies such as the Caribbean, there are many cases where students take their own lives because their names did not appear on the list of successful candidates in the newspapers.
Blaming ourselves
It is wrong to haunt and recriminate ourselves because we have not been successful in an exam. Paul teaches us that there are no social levels in Christ, and that each individual part of the body is vital to the functioning and balance of the whole body. In the Truth every one is equal, educated or not. As such we should show the same concern for one another.
Know our part
Let us be careful of our true values in life. God tells us that “the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever” (I John 2:17). It behooves us to know our true path and press quietly but surely on. We often need encouragement in times of failure, for it is easy to slip and lose our grasp and give up on ourselves. We are told in Psalm 34 that the eyes of the Lord are upon the upright, and His ears are open to the pleading of the godly. God is very near to the patient heart, and so ready to defend those of humble spirit. Though a hundred trials beset the innocent, the Lord will bring them safely through.
Relying on our own strength
We fight foolishly to organize our lives, relying on our own strength, when we are told so often that God takes care of His friends’ lives as we would our most precious treasures. Malachi 3:16-18 has been a great comfort to me in my low times. Failing an exam does not mean that God has blotted your name out of the Book of Life. So be courageous. It is better to pray than to sit down and cry. Look around and see the vast number of people who are living happily in the Lord despite outward failure and even despair. They are of poor educational background but they are taken care of by our great Creator.
God holds up those who stumble
When Jezebel threatened Elijah’s life he was frightened and went on a journey of his own devising — running away from his problems He begged God to put an end to his life because of his miserable failure (I Kings 19) But God remembered Elijah and appeared to him in a still small voice and guided him back to the path which he was treading for Him And James reminds us that Elijah was a man of passions and feelings Just like ourselves (5 17) It is so easy to doubt and lose faith, to despair and get anxious for tomorrow, not remembering that the Lord our God holds up those who stumble (Isa 40 30-31) He is a very present help in times of trouble
A lesson to be learned
For some, failing an exam is a challenge to be conquered For others passing an exam is a real struggle but success comes eventually And for some it is an impossible obstacle.
It might just be that an important lesson is to be learned from that failure Paul asks us to endure infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecution and distress for Christ’s sake, for when we are weak, then are we strong This is the best attitude we can take toward the problems we face The very hairs of our head are all numbered, so God knows the very intimate details of our lives Take failures patiently, for “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Leave the past behind
If we believe that our heavenly Father is in control of our lives, we take comfort that He will never bring upon us more than we are able to bear, and will always help us to deal positively with our disappointments This thought should fill our minds with hope as we look at the walls we have to face in our lives Instead of complaining, let us thank God for His love Like Paul, we leave the past behind and with hands outstretched concentrate on what lies ahead and go straight for the goal — the reward and honour of being called by God in Christ.
The way to peace
One way of fully appreciating peace is to experience the anxieties and distractions of life and learn to reach peace through them Paul advises us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7)
In John 14 27 Jesus encourages us “Let not your hearts be troubled” The days in which we live are loaded with anxieties Our close contact with God’s word and the throne of grace will be our source of strength.
Think it not strange, beloved,
If sometimes every door seems closed,
And all thine efforts be opposed,
But calmly wait in patience till
The Master shall reveal his will.
Nor think it strange
When darker grows the narrow way.
Press on. Thy Master soon shall say,
“Enough, my child, thou hast well done.
Come, enter in, the prize is won!”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One