Growing up, my little brothers loved
Winnie the Pooh. I spent lots of time reading Winnie the Pooh books and
watching the movies that accompanied. In Pooh's
Most Grand Adventure: The Search For Christopher Robin, Christopher
Robin prepares Winnie the Pooh for a tomorrow without him, which is hard for
Winnie the Pooh to understand. Christopher tells Pooh to remember that he's
braver than he believes, and stronger than he seems, and smarter than he thinks.
And of course Winnie the Pooh gets it all mixed up and Christopher tells him
again and assures him that even if they are apart that he is always with him.
Jesus does the same thing for us. He
tells us that we are strong in him and that he is with us until the end of the
ages (Matthew 28:20) and will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6)
in good times or in bad. Even when we get it all mixed up with relationships and people and trials. Trials are vital in life. They show us how much braver
we are than we think. How much we can really handle. They test our faith and
affirm God's presence in it all.
Jesus tells Simon Peter that
Satan wants to sift him like wheat.
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded
permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith
may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your
brothers. Luke 22:31
Satan wants to break Peter down. He
wants him to turn from following Jesus. He wants him to fall and fail and revel
in guilt. Satan also asks to test Job - to see if Job will curse God (Job 1:11).
God does not test us or put us through trials but they will happen. If Satan wanted to sift Peter and get Job to curse God, why would anyone be spared? The
enemy came to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and wants to sift us like
wheat, too. This sifting comes in all forms and sizes and temperaments. It comes in the
form of a bad marriage, health
issues, a prodigal child, insecurity,
self hatred, loneliness and anything else that is not from God. It comes for days or months or years with more
issues piling up as we go.
How long can you handle
suffering? At what point do you praise God or throw in the towel?
Jesus reassured Peter that he
prayed for him and that his faith would not fail. Jesus prayed for Peter assured him that once he turned back that he would be able
to strengthen others. Not only does Peter endure his trail but he goes on
to build up others, as well because of it. He is able to rise from what seems
like a failure - denying knowing Jesus, not one but three times - to a great leader in the first church because Jesus. Jesus also prayed for us (John 17 20-23) and we are able to rise from our challenges, too.
Beneath the Waters by Hillsong is a great reminder of this. It
was written about baptism but fits perfectly on the topic of rising above
trials because of the power of Jesus. Have a listen.
I rise as You are risen
Declare Your rule and reign
My life confess Your Lordship
And glorify Your Name
Praying that you would see the benefits of your trials and the little blessings that are found in them. Praying that you stand firm in your trials, whether they last days or years, and that you would truly seek what the Lord is teaching you through it.
Praying that you would understand the importance of trials and the beauty that comes out of them - ever increasing trust in God, better understanding of yourself and others, and learning how to share that information with others. Praying that you would not be sifted like wheat but be like a rock, as was Peter, standing firm in the faith and leading others it to.
Here's to sifting and rising.
