If we take the mindset that our time on earth is that of a classroom or school, we would understand and accept that every storm, trial, challenge, and difficulty was a test.  Tests are given by teachers to check for student understanding and to see whether they have mastered a skill. 

Teachers introduce a concept and model it.  The life of Jesus on earth, His death, and resurrection takes care of this step (Basically the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Teachers then ask their students to practice the new skill.  They watch to see how their students do with the new information and with a careful eye monitor their progress.  They watch to see if any are overwhelmed and pull them aside to reteach or give extra help if they are frustrated or failing.  A test is then given and graded.  Some students are ready to move on to a new skill while others need to have the lesson reviewed and retaught yet again.  Skills are usually built upon other more elementary skills.  For example, it is hard to do multiplication without understanding the concept of addition.

So when a student fails a test he can take one of two attitudes.  One attitude is that of giving up and not trying to learn the concept or lesson.  A resolute sense of failure and ineptness darkens his spirit and he allows the difficult endeavor to break him, thus allowing bitterness to grow in his heart.  The other and better choice is to face the challenge with a positive attitude and the stance of a victor.  In this way, we will overcome the failed test and find that the struggle has made us a far better student than when we first began the lesson.  God gives us a choice.  He is the ultimate teacher.  He allows us the choice of becoming a victim or victor.  Every problem has a lesson and a pearl of wisdom in it.  As our instructor, He rejoices over our victories and success stories and weeps over our failures and poor choices.

Abba Father,

With bended knee we approach Your throne and thank You for sending us trials.  We know that it is through these storms that You teach us the traits of our Brother and Savior, Jesus.  We recognize that You use trials as lessons that build character and equip us for life on earth and in heaven.  We ask that You give us a mind to comprehend the lessons we are learning.  Grant us obedient hearts and guide us in the ways of putting our newfound understanding to good use.

An overcomer defined                                                          http://www.gty.org/resources/study-guides/40-5133/the-assurance-of-victory

The Greek word translated “overcomer” literally means “victor.” The verb form is nikao, and the noun form is nike. The verb means, “to conquer,” “to have victory,” or “to have superiority”. It sometimes means, “to defeat.”

ROMANS 8:37 (NIV)        No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

REVELATION 12:11 (KJV)       And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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