Season of sharpening | Will the pressure break you? | Part 06

I believe that some pressures in life are designed to make us into a better version of ourselves. There are two things men are prone to do when faced with pressure. One, they embrace it and come out stronger. Or, two, they give up and look for an option to quit. The pressures we go through arises in different sizes and shapes. For some, it may look enormous as a mountain and for others, it may be smaller in comparison. Regardless of how big or small the pressure, pressure has a way of bringing out the best in us. In today's blog, we going to see three factors to consider while in pressure.

In the previous blog, we discussed how the pressure of hammering will give birth to the shape of a sword. If you haven't read them it's worth going and giving it a read. In this blog, we are going to address how the pressure of the hammer will prove the real strength of the sword. So the most important question today is, "Will the pressure break you?"

First, let's define pressure, Pressure means the burden of physical or mental distress or the constraint of circumstance caused by various life situations. Even as I write this I was on a phone call with someone a while ago, I was told about the pressure they been facing regarding their salaries not coming through and the possibilities of losing the job, etc.

A situation like this can be extremely traumatising. In fact, the kind of pressure you may be facing could be different in nature, nonetheless, pressure on any kind if not dealt properly can cripple us. Here are three factors to consider when faced with pressures of life.

Trust in the sovereign will of God.

A child of God needs to be constantly reminded that God can never be wrong no matter how difficult or gruesome certain circumstances look. When faced with pressure be like Daniel and his friends.

Daniel 3:1-18

King Nebuchadnezzar had a gold statue made, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and he had it set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
 
Anyone who does not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, “Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves.  If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. 

I don't know what we would do in this circumstance. The most natural response for any of us would probably be to complain to God and tell how unfair He is. Everything was going very well in the life of Daniel and his friends. They got the perfect job, money, esteem and everything you can name. But all of a sudden here comes a situation where their life is at risk. The temptation in circumstances could be to point out to God and say how unfair He is but we see Daniel and his friends trust in the sovereign God who is in control of all things.

Regardless of what your present circumstances can you trust in the God who is in control of all things? If your trust is in the right place even the fire will not be able to consume you. In fact, the same fire that tried to kill Daniel and his friends stood as a witness to the whole country that nothing has power over God's elects. Trust in the God of the bible who has the final say!

Find rest in God

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God"

He is not only a God when everything is going well in life. He is God when you are walking in the valleys of the shadows of death too. Bible says that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. In times of pressure, few things are a must in our life.

• Keep your sword close to you which is the word of God.

• Let the aroma of your worship fill everywhere.

• Be surrounded by the right people who will speak life over you.

You are not alone. Especially in this time and season many facing immense pressure in life. Some may be battling loneliness, anxiety issues, fear and hard questions that have no easy answers, etc. You may be going through something similar as I mentioned above. However, you have hope when you allow yourself to rest in His presence. When all of your being comes together in agreement that God is in control of the storm you will have immense peace no matter what the circumstances.

Crushing is a stage and not a destination

These are the exact words of Bishop T. D. Jakes, "Crushing is a stage and not a destination"

It's not only important to embrace the process. But staying calm in the secure hands of God and focusing on the right things in life is a significant factor too.

You can't have a promise without process. To be exposed to a blessing before the time is a curse. Therefore, what you do in the season of pressure matters. Our action, conduct, our confessions and what we meditate matters. Every action matters.

A Bible-believing child of God has hope that no one in the whole world has found. They may be going through immense pressure but there focus is not on the present circumstances. Rather there focus is on the beautiful promises that God has in store for them.

As a train enters a tunnel it may not yet see the other side of the tunnel, but the driver knows that soon he will see the light at the distance. May your eyes be focused at the end of the tunnel and not the darkness that surrounds the tunnel.

Romans 8:18

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Apostle Paul a man who took the brunt as a carrier of the good news set an example for us on how to be strong in the middle of pressure. I don't know if we have gone through half the problem this man has gone through. Regardless of all the pressure, he faced in his life he was solid and never shook. Here is what he has been through: "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked."

His confidence was in one thing alone and that is in the future glory that he found in Jesus Christ. He knew this crushing may last for some time but this is not my destination.

In conclusion, don't forget the three things, my friend. God is not in the business of making mistakes, find rest in the God who lacks nothing, crushing is not your destination. My prayer for you is that you will come out stronger and powerful enough to be held in God's hands as a mighty weapon.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Feel free to write me on how we can pray and stand with you in the pressures you are facing in this season. God bless you!