Sharpen Your Pencils And Close Your Books 

I have heard some people disagree with my viewpoint in the book I had published last year. I wrote:

"God seems always to be giving us tests. Each exam we pass makes us a better person, but getting there can be a major struggle. That's the way it is when alcohol overwhelms a person's life. Overcoming such an addiction is one of God's toughest tests to pass. But by placing him in the center of our lives, faithfully attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, working through AA's Twelve Steps, and exploring our inner selves, it becomes possible to overcome alcoholism." (Corking the Bottle,   https://covenantbooks.com/books/?book=corking-the-bottle)

I stand by my analogy of God as teacher passing out pop quizzes to the class. Here's some more light shone by Bill and Jason Isaacs in I Want What God Wants (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29957590-i-want-what-god-wants):

"Each time I teach or talk about God's testing, I always hear from someone who isn't comfortable with the idea. They feel like God is being cruel or setting them up to fail, but just like every student who has gone through school, we know the tests are what prove we are ready to move on to something better. God's tests are always backed with purpose and good intention. Honestly, God already knows what our response will be to the challenges we face, but tests also show you and me where we still struggle to trust God. The purpose of his tests is never pain; it's always growth." (emphasis added)

Class dismissed.