IN THE FACE OF PRESSURE

What do you do in the face of pressure?

Complain, get bittered, murmur, etc?

At some point in our lives, we'll face pressure from family, friends, business/finance, obligations and responsibilities, ability to meet up with life's demands, the temptation to cut corners as to make ends meet, and so on.

Truth is, everyone faces pressure and in most cases, it comes in a wrong form with great temptation for us to attempt. But what matters is WHAT we do in the face of it.

When friends/peers presents you with a new habit or lifestyle in school, what do you do?

When life presents you with an "opportunity" to make money through a means that's never near God's purpose, how do you respond to it?

Responsibilities with its burden has put you down and then shakes your mind to reconsider a fraudulent or negative proposal suggested to you, tell me, what do you do at this point?

Or maybe you're mentally strained with the notion that you're supposed to be where you've envisioned but your life is looking like the opposite of it and time's running out, what will you do then?

Beloved, your attitude whenever you feel pressured matters a lot. You may be passing through a strainous time, life may be showing you a different view other than the one you've always known: new responsibilities, new environment, strange circumstances to adapt to, expectations you ought to catch up with, and so on with all its emotional strain but it is needful to put up a positive attitude.

You have to;

LOOK BEYOND THE PROBLEM

Hey, take your eyes of that thing that gives you sleepless nights and a gloomy face. You should look at what God is saying or has said about that challenge. You may say, " I'm confused, I don't even know what to do or go from here".

Tell me, why did God give you His word?

Why has He put higher ups (mentors and spiritual guide, if you have one) over you?

Why do we have Him as a Father?

The issue is, we look at the problem not beyond the problem. That's why we remain in the problem. You see the reality; God's plan and will for you beyond the problem not in them.

We're only seeing the debts, the empty accounts, the loads of responsibilities, the delayed expectations, the negative pressure from friends, etc and fail to see what God is seeing and saying.

That's why you're always depressed, worried, anxious, fearful, complaining and murmuring.

Quit it. You aren't helping yourself.

Haven't you read, "For I know that thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, the thought of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11).

Thank God His word is a pure reflection of His thoughts, so look at it more. It contains solution to ANY problem or challenge you're facing.

If the pressure is from friends and family, wanting you to do something against God and you, look at what God saying.

If you're down stricken with financial burdens and want to be free, scripture has the answer. It's all there.

DON'T NEGLECT THE SPIRIT

The Holy spirit, that is. He's called our comforter and helper for a reason. We fail, sometimes as Christians, to tell even the littlest challenge to him and then we seek humans to tell it to.

No!

Ensure you whisper it to Him and thank Him for helping you through it. He always listens.

ALWAYS GIVE THANKS

A time of pressure usually keeps a person in an uneasy state of mind. Your thoughts are invaded with the surrounding problems he's going through. So, what should you do? Adopts the act of Thanksgiving.

Scripture says, "Be anxious for NOTHING, but by prayer and supplication, WITH THANKSGIVING, let your request be made known to God."

See the next verse. It reveals what happens when you practice thanksgiving;

"...and the PEACE OF GOD WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7).

Always thanking God for everything helps our hearts and minds as the above scripture connotes. It introduces the peace of God in our hearts.

You mustn't feel like it before giving thanks. It mustn't be only in rosy times you give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to be thankful at all times because it's God's will.

When your faced with seemingly difficult/pressurizing situations turn to God in prayers and thanksgiving.

PRAY

Prayer is an ancient weapon but still remains relevant till today. "...but by PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION let your request be made known unto God".

In a world where problems and challenges doesn't end, prayer is what keeps a believer going. A man without prayer is dead meat because He has no connection to God and constant heavenly supply.

If you really want a way out of your turmoil which keeps pressurizing you, then you have to keep praying. You don't stop till you get results.

If you don't have Christ at the center of your heart, repent today and confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He won't just make you His own, He'll make something so great out of you.

Confess and recieve Him today.

Let's pray!

Bow your head and say this prayer of salvation.

Lord Jesus, come into my heart. I receive you today as my Lord and Saviour. Forgive me of all my sins as I repent today. I receive Your Spirit and grace over my life.

Thank You Lord for saving me. In Jesus' Name.

Live your life continuously in Him and you'll enjoy peace and fulfillment.

God bless you.

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