I first became familiar with Wayne Cordeiro through reading Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion.
I didn’t hesitate to buy his new book: Sifted: Pursuing Growth through Trials, Challenges, and Disappointments (this book was co-authored by Francis Chan and Larry Osborne).
The idea of this book is based on Luke 22:31-32:
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
God allows His followers to experience “sifting”–seasons of testing, difficulty, discomfort, and disappointment. This is no mistake, the author argues: it is God’s way of developing us into the kinds of leaders He wants us to be. But the process is only effective if we respond to it correctly.
This book was encouraging, challenging, and deeply rooted in the truths of Scripture. I really appreciate the way the authors addressed the issues that discourage pastors, and that’s the group I’d recommend it for.
Pastor, read this book if you are going through a difficult season in your ministry (most of us do at some point). You’ll learn to see your trials from a more eternal perspective.
