And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.”
—Luke 22:31-32
Wednesday morning I woke up feeling slightly more bolstered emotionally and optimistically bolder than I had in recent days. As I went about the morning—walking and feeding the dogs, making my breakfast, drinking my coffee—I asked God, "What is this feeling about?" He and I keep a running conversation going. I felt like He said, "You're going to need it."
So I thought, Well, let me get going on some things I need courage to do. Uh-huh, yes. Let’s get this done first and then I’ll do that...
There's something I've been holding up to God for the last several months, and as I thought of what I was about to get done, other thoughts about this thing I’ve been praying about intercepted my get-it-done planning. Why does it seem like this prayer hasn’t been answered? (I’m careful with how I frame my questions to God. It is very possible that the prayer has been answered, but since it may not be the answer I want, I can’t perceive it as answered. Don’t know which it is. That’s why I was asking.) Then the "if onlys" started coming in like missiles, trying hard to land their target, one after the other. Mentally, I’m dashing and dodging—reframing, casting down, reaffirming truth. From the air, they keep striking, working very hard to force me into a mental and emotional bunker, which would ultimately get me off the field for a while—just enough time to discourage me from advancing in the present moment.
That's when I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, "Don't be sifted. These thoughts are a distraction. You had a plan for your day. You have important work to do."
That word indeed in Luke 22:31 shows up in various Bible translations as "listen," "look out," "behold,” "pay attention." And so, hear this. Here’s my pep talk to myself and you, if you need it:
Remembering past rejections...
Recalling missed opportunities because of limited access to resources...
Thinking back on ways systemic oppression or interpersonal betrayals set you back...
Mulling over decisions you wish you hadn't made when you were between a rock and a hard place...
...can be distracting you and stealing the energy you need to be the bold and very courageous (Joshua 1:7-9) person you need to be in this present moment—that person who seizes the opportunities that exist for you right now.
Don't dissociate and pretend they weren't real. That's not the exercise. They happened. They carried a cluster of injustices on levels you may not have been able to untangle and call out at the time. Unpack them. Get help with unpacking them. Laugh and lament with a good friend. Pray for the Lord to renew your mind. Get in the Word. Take a timeout. But don't let the enemy use them to sift you out from having a significant impact right now, right where are you are.
Think about this: what could or would you be doing if your energy wasn't being spent on the past? What challenge would you be rising to if you weren't listening to the voices or circumstances from the past that told you you were nothing, weren't smart or experienced enough, weren't the right fit, that you weren't worthy or deserving?
Don’t negotiate with evil. (Remember Nehemiah’s response to his enemies’ distractions?)
Shut those voices down! Grieve the let downs. Trust that the eternal God who is favorably working in your past, present, and future simultaneously is fighting for you (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). And let them go. Let the prayers Jesus has prayed (John 17) and is lifting in intercession for you right now (Romans 8:34) restore your faith that you are more than enough and what you have is valuable and needed.
Living in these moments for you, sent and called one, is an energy leech the enemy counts on. When you find yourself going back to the memories and emotions of the moments you've already begun to heal from, take up the active work of Philippians 4:8:
Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
And going further, activate the mind-set found in Philippians 3:13-14:
…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.
Spend too long rehearsing what you’ve already been over, and you’ll find precious time has passed and vital energy has been expended, yet you’re still where you were the moment you made room for those thoughts to roam and take root. Hours later, your main goal for the day, that one item on your to-do list you wanted to accomplish is still not done. Don’t be sifted, i.e., separated out from your goal, purpose, or vision.
The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language and you spend twenty years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says you have no art, so you dredge that up. Somebody says you have no kingdoms, so you dredge that up. None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.
―Toni Morrison
Though speaking of racism here, this quote from Toni Morrison can be applied to almost any negative thing someone or something has said or done that seemed to limit your progress. Don’t use your energy explaining your worth and value to anyone—that’s the first thing. Second thing is, don’t find yourself replaying events from the past trying to do that either. You will not change that decision. You will not change their minds. They will not see you differently. The circumstances from the past are fixed. They are over. But what can you mine from that moment that you can positively apply going forward?
The Philippians 4:8 command to reframe how your mind remembers and processes the things you've experienced is necessary for your thriving and flourishing. Learning how to sip and savor the sweet ice cold lemonade you made out of some of those bitter disappointments is the refreshing you need whenever these moments creep up on you.
This work of reframing and getting back to life is not easy. It can be like dragging yourself out of bed at 5:00 a.m. to get that workout in; write that book, sermon, or essay; or get whatever daily head start you need. And then doing this dragging over and over and sometimes several times a day.
It's tough but so are you. You have a great purpose and call on your life that needs your commitment and energy for the things happening today. Help yourself live into this moment faith-filled and free, bold and brave, and nothing will stop you.
P.S.: It wasn’t long after I hit “Publish” on this post that I received some disappointing news and then, later in the day, some very sad news, so God knew the hope I needed, that little bit of extra positivity He woke me up with that morning. I thank Him for that. It got me through.