Being Sifted

Pardon my absence. Our family recently experienced a health scare because of my Dad, but God brought us through that. 


Yesterday, I learned that my friend, Carolyn, whom I mentioned in my prior post received her total healing, not on earth but in heaven. I'm going to miss her. 


Then, this morning I read an e-mail from another dear friend, whose writing I dearly miss, that she is going through something, too.


What is going on, Lord?


The answer came to me in a verse.

International Standard Version (©2008) "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat, Luke 22:31

Though Jesus is talking directly to Simon Peter, it is directed to all of His followers. All. Including us, the present day followers of Christ. Doesn't it feel like we're all in a season of sifting right now? Our relationships, our loved ones, our health, our finances, our jobs... Reading that verse at face value is scary. One is almost tempted not to forge ahead with our God-given purpose because, really, who wants to go thru spiritual warfare and be sifted by Satan?  

However, I am comforted by two things: 

1) Satan has to ask God permission to do so.  Satan is not in charge, God is.

2) Because God loves us, I know He will only permit those things to come into our lives that will make us conform to His image. God is after our sanctification.

And I am also glad that God does not leave us hanging because if you read the next verse ~

International Standard Version (©2008) but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. When you have come back, you must strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:32

But Jesus (I love that phrase!) has prayed for us - that our own faith should not fail. Is there a better Prayer Warrior than Jesus? Since He has prayed for us, He knows that we will come out of our sifting much stronger than when we came in.  Also notice this season of sifting has a limit.  He said "when you have come back..." Not "if" but "when."  


So, be strong, friends. Jesus won't let you fail. While you are alive and breathing, you have a God-given mission. Fulfill it. Don't give in to the fear. Our God is stronger!  

On Fear and Faith

The ride home was quiet. My heart was gripped with fear. My husband and I were just discussing the possibility of filing a restraining order against a man who promised my brother-in-law a bullet in the head.

Nice, right?

He relayed this message through my husband. As a result, said man was arrested and jailed - and I'm guessing, must be pretty ticked off at my husband right now.

What to do next?

The restraining order seems like a logical step. But I did not know whether he should put my name and the names of our children in the form.

The enemy shouted, "WHAT IF CRAZY GUY COMES AFTER YOUR CHILDREN?"
I heard that. Loud and clear. And I was shaken and scared.

Lord, what do I do?"

I asked my husband to drop me off by the mailbox to get the week's mail.

I did not know that God was waiting for me there.

In the midst of the junk mail and bills was the May issue of InTouch magazine. The cover article? STANDING FIRM. Ahhh, I felt like God just gave me a big HUG.

"It is important to know

what you are facing, but it is

also important to know

WHO is in control

of all things."

Paragraph after paragraph were words of comfort and assurance. God even included the verse that I read to my mother over and over again during her last days in ICU. It is one of my favorite verses and He reminded me:

Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God

I will strengthen you, yes I will help you.

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

The enemy's words earlier faded into oblivion.

God's timing amazes me. I could have picked up the mail the day before and the magazine would probably be still in a pile, unread. But He knew I needed to see those words today. He knew I would be scared. He knew I needed comfort. Fast.

Oh, thank you, Lord!

Wait, there's more! You want to know the best part? My husband whom I have been trying and trying to get to the Lord, read the article. Before me! And - he liked it! Amazing! God sure works in mysterious ways.
Seeing my husband sitting there, reading InTouch, my heart was filled with gratitude and prayer (Please, Lord, soften his heart).
I could not help but sing,
"God You're so good to me, You've always been good to me. I sing it through eternity, God You're so good."
All is well. Thank you, my sweet Jesus.