Pass The Tests On The Way To Your Destiny

One important truth to understand when you discover God’s purpose for your life is that you will face certain tests along the way that you must pass in order to develop your character and reach the fullness of your destiny. There is always a process before reaching your platform. God tests you before He elevates you because He wants to work in you before He can work through you. If your promotion exceeds your competence, you risk crumbling under the very success you longed to achieve.

It’s important to recognize that God’s testing does not come in the form of sickness, accidents, poverty, or failure. While God can use these situations, He is not the source of evil. His primary means of teaching is through His Word. The Apostle Paul writes, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim 3:16-17). However, God can also use the trials and challenges we encounter in this fallen world to shape our character into the image of Christ. He uses every difficulty we face for our learning. In fact, here’s a profound truth: if God does not change your circumstances, it is because He is using them to change you.

The Scripture states, “Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character” (Ps 105:19). At a young age, God gave Joseph the dream of becoming a great leader, which he eventually did as the Viceroy of Egypt. However, before he achieved this, he faced various trials that tested his character at every turn. In this blog, we will explore some of the tests that Joseph had to endure on his journey toward fulfilling his dream.

In Genesis 37:12-14, we read that after Joseph had dreams of becoming a great leader, his father Jacob sent him to check on his brothers, who were grazing their flocks elsewhere. This was a test of service, and knowing that God had called him to be a ruler, Joseph was willing to serve his brothers. He passed this test. Later in his journey, he served Potiphar as a slave, attended to the king’s prisoners, and ultimately served in Pharaoh’s court. He excelled in the test of service.

As Pastor Jentezen Franklin puts it, “If you are too big to do the little things, then you are too little to do the big things.” God does not promote the lazy or the self-important. He seeks those whose dreams are ultimately connected to blessing others and building His kingdom. So, take the test of service today and move one step closer to your destiny.

In Genesis 37:18-24, we read about how Joseph’s brothers conspired to kill him when he went to check on them. As he approached, they stripped him of his clothes and threw him into a dry pit. Little did Joseph know that he would endure a period of being hidden for a long time before his dreams came to fruition:
– He was hidden in the pit before being sold to the Midianites.
– After that, he was hidden in Potiphar’s house as a slave for about ten years.
– He was falsely accused and imprisoned, where he remained hidden for more than two years.

Just as Joseph spent nearly thirteen years in obscurity, God often hides people before revealing them. During this season of “hiddenness,” our motives are purified, and our character is developed. If you are not willing to be hidden, you may not be ready to be revealed. So, embrace the test of ‘hiddenness’ today.

When young Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery, it must have been incredibly painful for him. To know that the people who hurt him were his own family—his own brothers—made the pain even more unbearable. It’s extraordinary that Joseph didn’t succumb to discouragement, bitterness, and sorrow. Instead, he passed this test and emerged as a kind and forgiving person.

Discouragement can come from many sources: betrayals, unfair treatment, slander, and disappointments. The heartbreak and isolation that follow can trap you in discouragement if you allow it. However, remember that during times of discouragement, God begins to strengthen your character. If you find yourself in such a season today, I encourage you to draw closer to God, find strength in Him, and then lift yourself up to move forward. Pass the test of discouragement today and take a step closer to your destiny.

Joseph was taken to work as a slave in Potiphar’s house. Despite the unexpected twists and turns in his life, he chose to serve Potiphar with excellence, giving his best day in and day out (Gen 39:1-3). This exemplifies faithfulness. Faithfulness is not just about being active over time; it is about being excellent over time. It involves not only the actions we take but also the attitude behind those actions. The key question is whether you are giving your best, even when you are treated unfairly. If you can pass this test, you move one step closer to fulfilling your destiny.

When Joseph was a slave in Potiphar’s house, he worked diligently, and his master recognized that God was with him, causing everything he touched to prosper. As a result, Potiphar promoted him to manager of the household. Life as a slave during those times was exceedingly difficult, and slaves often found themselves at the mercy of their owners—sometimes treated even worse than the family dog. Imagine how wonderful it must have felt for Joseph to receive such a promotion.

However, this is where the test began: Potiphar’s wife tried to tempt him into sin by seducing him into sexual immorality. At this moment, Joseph could have mistakenly thought that his new role in Potiphar’s house was the fulfilment of the promise he had received. In many ways, it resembled the dream he had, which spoke of authority and influence, and here he was, standing out in a position of power. Joseph might have thought, “Oh! Here it is. I’ve arrived!”

Yet, even in that place of blessing, he remained faithful. He said “No” to Potiphar’s wife and chose not to sin. He did not allow “success” to cloud his judgment or make him proud. Joseph stayed humble despite God’s elevation of him, and he passed the test of blessings.

Friend, keep your eyes on Jesus and your heart at His feet at all times. Only then will you be prepared for the next level of your destiny. Pass the test of blessings today and take a step closer to your purpose.

Even when Joseph had the opportunity to sin, he chose to deny it and ended up in jail because Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him. This was unjust and unfair. How would Joseph respond? Instead of bitterness or anger, he continued to serve others in prison, and God elevated him to a position of responsibility there.

In the prison, there were two other men from the palace: a butler and a baker. One night, both of them had dreams, but there was no one to interpret them. Joseph interpreted their dreams and served them. The butler was released from prison just as Joseph had predicted, but he forgot all about Joseph for two years.

What do you do when others seem to receive quicker answers to their prayers than you do? Will you give in to jealousy, or will you rest in God’s faithfulness? It is never easy to celebrate others’ blessings when you are still waiting for what you’ve been praying for. Joseph spent more time in prison while the cupbearer was released sooner, which must have been frustrating. However, Joseph passed the test of jealousy, and when the time was right; God used the same butler to open the door for Joseph’s promotion.

Friend, don’t give in to jealousy when you see others being blessed; celebrate with them for their miracles. By doing this, you are passing the test of jealousy and taking a step closer to your destiny.

Joseph, after nearly thirteen years of trials and temptations, was promoted to a position of leadership and influence; he became the governor of Egypt. Importantly, to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph had to put his faith in God, believing that God would provide the correct interpretation (Gen 41:16). If Joseph had interpreted the dream incorrectly, not only would he have failed, but he could have also faced execution and lost his life. Therefore, Joseph took a bold step of faith, relying on God’s power and wisdom for the right interpretation.

Beloved, if you want to see breakthroughs in your life, you must take bold steps of faith toward your dreams. Many people become stuck in their careers and wonder how they will ever move forward by doing nothing. You don’t have to be one of them. Stay close to God and respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As the late Dr. David Yonggi Cho said, “When you move, God moves.” Take that step, and you will witness God opening mighty doors of favor and opportunity in your life.

I truly hope you were blessed by this blog as much as I was while writing it. Remember, there is always a process before the platform. God will prepare you before He promotes you. He wants to take you on a journey, allowing Him to work on your character in uncomfortable situations. Surrender to His leading, and He will make you better. He will cause you to shine at the right time. So, pass all the character tests along the way, and you will see your dreams fulfilled in due time.

You are blessed!