Getting Through Exams

To my friend AHA – this post is for you. Trust Him. :)

Over the past nine years I’ve done thirteen music exams – mostly practical violin, some music theory, and one practical piano. Actually, that’s not true. We’ve done thirteen music exams. The only way I’ve gotten through that many exams, and the performances in between, is by God’s strength and grace, with the support of my family and music teacher. But there’s a little recipe that’s worked for every exam, test, and performance I’ve had, and I wanted to share it, because we all go through tests at some stage in life.

1. Practice/prepare. This is elementary, but we can’t expect God to perform miracles if we don’t do our part with the talents and skills He’s given us. I can’t never practice, and then expect to pass a violin exam. 

2. Pray. Remember God is there waiting to help. Pray for help in preparing for the exam; pray for God to teach you – He knows everything, right? Pray for calmness and confidence during the exam, and in remembering what you’ve learnt. Pray for God to be right there with you instructing you what to do/say/play/sing/write/draw –whatever it is you’re being tested on. He promises: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21) 

3. Find and claim promises. The Bible is full of promises, and you’re probably familiar with quite a few relevant to exams – promises of guidance, of God fulfilling needs and being with us. By all means, claim those, but I’d encourage you to search deeper as well. There’s a lot of specific promises, and it’s fun to look for them, and see how God cares for us on a personal need-specific level. Here’s a few of my favourites – I relate them to playing violin or piano, but they could also be relevant to playing another instrument, driving, writing, or any test that involves your hands:

For I the Lord God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not: I will help thee. (Isaiah 41:13)

Blessed be the Lord God my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. (Psalm 144:1)

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 29:11)

…Fear not, but let your hands be strong. (Zechariah 8:13)

…Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. (Nehemiah 6:9)

See how specific they are? I really like Psalm 144:1 – it’s such a picture of what God can do, and while I’m not fighting with my instruments (at least, I try not to, ha), it does take energy, time, and technique to play them. I haven’t looked for other promises to claim for different tests, but I’m sure they’d be there. Pray, look for a promise that fits your situation and that you can make your own, then take God at His word. He’ll do what He says; He cannot fail.

Everyone deals with tests, exams, and stressful situations differently, but this is what has gotten me through – doing my part, praying and trusting in God, claiming His promises, and resting in knowing that He’s right there beside me – Prepare, Pray, Promise. So, I hope this will help someone, because I know that exams can be hard, and stress and nerves are real. But, just always remember: God is bigger.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

How do you deal with exams, tests, and stressful situations? What’s your favourite promise from the Bible?