From The Secret Place

The Testing of Faith: A Necessary Process

On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He turned to Peter and said, "Peter, Satan has asked to sift you like wheat, but I've prayed for you that when you return to Me, you will strengthen your brothers." Notice that Jesus did not say, "I've prevented Satan from touching you." Instead, He said, "I've prayed for you, that when you return to Me."

Jesus knew there was a reason, a plan, and a purpose for what Peter was about to go through. He did not understand it at the time, but one day he would.

The Wheat and the Wind

Right behind my home is a wheat field, and over the last several weeks, I have watched that field ripen for harvest. It transitioned from green to gold, signaling its readiness. Just a week ago, a funnel cloud swept across the field. As powerful as the wind was, it did not separate the grain from the stalk.

Why? Because wheat must undergo a specific process before being separated.

The Threshing Process

In biblical times, farmers would gather bundles of wheat, bind them together, and lay them on a cloth. They would then beat the wheat, applying pressure to separate the grain from the chaff. Afterward, they would throw the wheat into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the chaff and leave only what was good.

Peter’s Pentecost Transformation

Think about Pentecost. A mighty wind filled the room where Peter was. He had already endured his testing, his threshing, his refining. Now, he was ready. When the Spirit touched him, it left behind the good. The result? Peter stood before a multitude and led 3,000 people to salvation.

Consider It Pure Joy

One of my favorite scriptures is James 1:2, which says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. And perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Everything we endure is Father-filtered. Trials are not accidents; they are allowed for a purpose. We may not understand them at the moment, but we can trust that God is using them to refine us.

Trust the Process

When the Holy Spirit moves, He removes the impure from the pure, the worthless from the good. What remains is something you can use to bless others. The victories you gain through trials are meant to help others in their journey.

Listen, there is a reason for your test. You can trust Him. My word to you today is simple—yield, trust, and know that, in time, you will understand why you walked through this season.

Daniel Norris is a true son of revival who is continuing in the footsteps of his mentor bringing the message of revival and repentance to the nations. He is an international evangelist and best selling author, as well as the founder and head of Daniel K Norris Ministries and the Three Hundred. Having served alongside Steve Hill for over a decade, Daniel has been instrumental in bringing the message of revival and repentance to the nations of the world. Daniel along with his wife Jenna teamed up with Steve in 2003 to help plant Heartland World Ministries Church in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex. For ten years they served as the directors of Redline Student Ministries growing the youth ministry from nothing to over 350 students in under three years. In 2006 he launched the Collision Youth Conference that has drawn thousands from around the US and been watched by millions world wide. Daniel travels full time bringing that same message of repentance and revival and challenging believers in their walk with God. His desire is to see the church experience the power and presence of God and yield a harvest of souls for the kingdom.   DanielKNorris.com

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