Sifting

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and I was up early to get my quiet time in before the events of the day began. The sky was blue, no wind and there was new snow on the ground which would be perfect for the sledding party later in the day. I nestled into the pillows on couch with my hot cinnamon coffee and my bible study, it was heavenly.

When I had finished my quiet time I began to clean the house for the birthday party that would be taking place in a few hours. I had prayed that the day would go well and that we would have fun memories to share. I was in a great mood and getting excited for my granddaughter.

As I started to clean the house I began to notice little barbs of irritation that began to poke at my good mood. They began as my husband was sitting in his chair watching TV and watching me clean. He must have forgot his offer to help the night before, but I overpowered those thoughts with better thoughts and enjoyed cleaning the house my way. That was until I was vacuuming around his chair and sucked up a cord to an electronic device that had been left on the floor. It wound tightly around the vacuum brushes and I became very frustrated trying to remove it. Thankfully my husband took over, retrieved the cord and finished vacuuming.

I was now up against the clock as the party was drawing near and I needed to get showered and order the pizza so it would be delivered at just the right time. As I opened the shower curtain the entire curtain and rod fell down. This time as I was about to be vocal in my irritation I heard the words, “he wants to sift you.” My morning had started off so well and I was sure that it would be that way all day, but right now it was being derailed.

Some of the verses I had read during the week were about Satan being the accuser of believers and how Job was living well and Satan wanted to prove that the only reason he loved God was because everything was going great for him. Just test him and see if he still loves you, was the accusation that Satan brought to God.

My temptations to be irritated were by no means anything near what Job received, but Satan still wants to make sure that we don’t experience all that God has for us. God’s word says that I can choose to resist those temptations and when I do, the enemy will flee from me. So after thinking these thoughts I emerged from my shower with a smile on my face and joy in my heart again.

And then I noticed a spot on the wall above the bathroom mirror. I didn’t want guests to see that so I climbed on the counter to wipe it off. My knees were slick from the lotion I had applied and I began to slip. While slipping I grabbed the towel rack and pulled it off the wall. Now I don’t know if that was the enemy trying to temping me to anger or if it was my terrible balance that I told you about before, but either way it was another sifting moment. How would I respond?

In an article on Christianity.com I read, “When Satan sifts believers, his goal is to damage our faith so much that we’re useless to God. He wants us shelved far from the action of the Lord’s kingdom. Therefore, he goes for our strengths—the areas where we believe ourselves to be invincible, or at least very well protected. And when the Devil succeeds, we are disappointed and demoralized. But we don’t have to stay that way. If we are willing, God can use failure to do spiritual housecleaning.”

Some days I have moments that I feel strong in my faith and that I’ve got this! Those are the moments that I need to be extra alert for the enemy prowling around. It’s much easier for him to attack when I’m on my own, feeling strong in my own power and efforts.

As I mentioned before, none of these siftings were as extreme as Jobs, but the desired effect is what the enemy was going after. I would have twenty four people at my home to celebrate my granddaughter’s birthday and my attitude would set the mood for the day.

I wanted it to be a nice day for all involved and I was grateful for God’s warning that I was going to be sifted. He knew Peter was going to be sifted and He prayed for him. Look at this passage in Luke 22: 31-32, “Peter, my dear friend, listen to what I’m about to tell you. Satan has demanded to come and sift you like wheat and test your faith. But I have prayed for you, Peter, that you would stay faithful to me no matter what comes. Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers.”

God is so good! He is always present and looking out for us, providing ways of escape and restoration. In those moments that I am feeling tested I need to pause and first see if I am in the will of God and if I am, then I need to resist and remember that Christ is praying for me to overcome. If my frustration is from my own pride, sin and will, then I need to change my ways and quickly.

My sifting moments were easier to take when I knew that God was right there with me. He also fulfilled His promise that if we resist the enemy he will flee. We were blessed with a wonderful afternoon with family, friends and many memories.

My prayer

Father, thank you for the warning of being sifted and for being with me every moment of those tests. You provided ways out through Your word and Your promises. Please forgive my pride and thank you for the lessons. You are a good God. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Where does my help come from?

James 4:7

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

1 Peter 5:8-11

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”