“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

 Psalm 119:105 ESV

Recently, I walked through a difficult season in life that involved sorrow, suffering and unexpected disappointment. I wanted desperately to “do this right” and I often prayed that somehow God would be glorified through this process. Then I read about a season in Peter’s life where he was “sifted”. I knew instantly this “sifting” was the exact process that I was going through, and I am delighted to share with you what I learned.

Sifting is an agricultural term that means shake something until it comes a part. It has also been defined as:” Examine thoroughly so as to isolate that which is most important or useful”. And my all-time favorite definition (not really!) is “an inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow”.  So why? Why did the Lord allow Peter to be sifted?

Here are a few reasons that I learned from studying this story. He was sifted because there were some things that needed to be separated in his life. Just like the chaff is separated from the wheat in the sifting process. Another reason is it was preparation for what God wanted to do next in his life. You may recall that God used Peter (after his season of sifting) to deliver a very powerful message where 3,000 people were saved. And the third reason is so that he could strengthen and encourage others.

Please don’t lose sight of probably the most important thing in this story. Jesus prayed for him. One translation says Jesus pleaded for him in prayer that his faith would not fail.

I can’t think of anything better and more helpful for me while I am being sifted than to know that Jesus is praying for me. Jesus is also preparing me. I want to successfully pass this test and no longer dread my season of sifting. If you are in a “sifting situation” lean into all God is saying and developing in your life.

Debbie Stuart