I Passed

Elizabeth’s Story

In May of 2022 I graduated with my masters in social work. I applied to take my board exam and had until August 15, 2023 to pass. During this time my now husband and I were planning our wedding. Needless to say, studying was not my top priority. On November 1, 2023 I got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, two weeks before our wedding day. Fast forward to December of 2022, one month after our wedding, I quit my job and began studying for my exam. I registered to take it on January 31. A week prior to that date my husband got covid and shortly after, I did. I was sick for nearly a month so I had to reschedule my exam. During that month I really struggled with my relationship with God. I was angry that my body had shut down at what I thought was such an important time. I finally got to a point where I fully surrendered how I felt and let Him take control. I started reading my Bible daily, praying, and asking for prayer.

Once I finally started to feel better I began praying before each study session. I took the exam on March 1st and failed by 9 points. I was upset but only for a second because I knew that it was part of God’s plan and I trusted Him. I was healthy for about a month and a half before I got sick again. This time I was sick for 6 weeks. Instead of shying away from God, I pressed in. I read my Bible and prayed more than I ever had. My exam was originally scheduled for June 5th and I had to reschedule it to July 10th. I failed again by 9 points. I had such confidence that I was going to pass that I was angry, embarrassed, and I felt such shame. Instead of running from God, I ran to him with all of my feelings. I dove into scripture and began to memorize it. I started telling people that I failed again, despite how I felt, and I asked for prayer. Sometimes going up for prayer full of tears unable to speak but the Holy Spirit knew what to say through those people. 

At this point, I wasn’t sure how to study and I wanted to take a study course but I knew we couldn’t afford it. But God! My parents sent me the money for it without me asking. There was a month left in my authorization period and the only available exam date was August 4th and I knew I wouldn’t be ready by then but I registered for it so I could keep checking to see if any later dates opened. The night I went in to cancel that exam, there was an opening on August 15th, the last day of my authorization period. It was an 8am exam so I began waking up at 6am to spend time with God before I got ready for the day. The morning of my test I had an overwhelming feeling from the Holy Spirit that I was going to pass but I kept that between Him and I. The exam was exhausting and I kept repeating scripture as I took it. I finished the test and read my score report: PASS. The lobby was filled with people and I said “Thank you Jesus” out loud. 

As difficult as that season was, my relationship with God has never been stronger. The community I have found at The Dwelling partnered with God to walk me through it and I am forever grateful. He deserves all the glory.