Are Spiritual Tests a Real Thing?

Being told that “this is a test” is something that we hear nonstop throughout our lives. It’s as if we automatically assume that a tough or difficult scenario is a means to test us and see if we are capable of the thing we want the most. There are times when I can understand why that mentality can be relevant, but I also feel like it is crucial to evolve past that mindset.

As we embark on more impactful experiences in life, we begin to encounter more intricate emotions and thoughts. Sometimes these emotions and thoughts can seem foreign to us and instantly spark fear. It’s because it is unknown and we are conditioned to fear anything that is unfamiliar to us. I’ve personally struggled and grappled with situations and emotions that are out of the norm for me.

When I was trying to navigate difficult times people would constantly tell me, “This is just a test from the universe”. And, to be honest that really never sat well with me because I felt that that statement almost had an ominous vibe to it.

Why do I need to be “tested” on my spiritual journey?

So, I began navigating these difficult times while looking at my struggle through a different lens. I began to think of these moments as opportunities to evolve. I wanted to flip the script and create a positive narrative for myself. I am someone who could easily get dragged down by negativity and become paralyzed by it. I could no longer live my life that way and I realized the only solution was to literally change the labels that I put on situations.

It is so very easy to label our experiences, especially when we are going to others for insight or help. Now, I am not saying there is anything wrong with going to others for help during tough times, but keep in mind that we are very vulnerable and might not be able to distinguish between certain details. Someone’s perspective might be tainted by something they had previously gone through so we must take everything with a grain of salt. This kind of perspective is similar to labels within the spiritual community.

As people go through spiritual awakenings, the spiritual community has come to label certain milestones. Which is helpful on some levels, but again it is all about perspective. All spiritual journeys are different and sometimes we don’t go through “tests”, but in fact we have character building experiences or re-routes. As I began re-labeling my experiences and creating a different narrative, this weight began to lift. I was able to navigate tougher situations with a lighter and more positive approach.

Remember to look at things from a distance before allowing your energy to become invested into the answers. Things are not always as they seem, in the best possible way of course.