Signs or Tests from the Universe?

How do you know if something showing up in your life is a sign from the Universe or a challenge attracted by you to evolve your soul?   This last week was obnoxious!  In my world I dealt with more than a couple of challenging situations.  

I noticed a pattern,  similarity in energies of the seperate situations.   I realized it was a self-attracted test to see give me an opportunity to walk my talk or fall back into old patterns of reaction.   This is how soul growth works. 

We do this to ourselves.  Lets explore the energy of this and how to tell if it is a test or a sign.