Christians, have you ever felt the weight of the world on your shoulders? Have you ever felt the pressure of the challenges you face so strong? Do you know the intensity of the trials you face? We are blessed, able to live above sin, purified, sanctified, and soon to be glorified, right? Why do we feel the pressure?
Have you ever seen a commercial or demonstration for a pressure cooker on a shopping network? I’ve always enjoyed watching them! First, they show you this chart where the cooking time standard is 2 hours, but in a pressure cooker it’s only 1 hour. All the times are 50-70% less. Then they show you the food and it looks great, so tender, so moist. You can even cook from FROZEN!
Well, our lives are like the pressure cookers. Some of you may be questioning this right now, but hear me out. Pressure, in and of itself is not bad, it’s a tool, harnessed and used to perform great and mighty tasks. Do not confuse pressure with stress. Stress is negative, it is not of God. Stress combined with pressure can be disastrous. I have found myself in a pressure filled situation before, I have wondered why all the pressure?
I have seen God working in my life this way. The pressure is a tool He is using, to quicken the process. I have seen changes take place in my life that without pressure could have been 50-70% longer. As Christians, we need to embrace pressure, it is a tool God uses to chasten us, and He only chastens those He loves.
In my pressurized situations I have let stress get to me a time or two, and when that happens the steam is let off, usually in the wrong direction (like at my wife) and it’s NOT good. Thankfully God’s grace is sufficient to get the control back from the situation. After I apologize, repent, acknowledge the weak points, the stress points, resolve to have them fixed, God’s plan can move forward.
Christians, I exhort you, when you feel an insurmountable amount of pressure being put on you, embrace it. For the word of God says we are hard pressed on every side, but NOT crushed. Thank you Lord. The pressure just means God wants to bring about great change in a short amount of time. If you allow Him to and humble yourself before Him, He will conform you to His likeness with the pressure, tests, trials, and tribulation that prepare you for His will and purpose (in a shorter amount of time), in Jesus name, Amen.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. II Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Because the Lord disciplines the one He loves and he chastens everyone he accepts as His son. Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you]. John 16:33 (AMP)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2016
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