The Squeeze

Have you ever felt like you were being pressed to a point where you don't think you can take anymore? Are you stressed out and overwhelmed? Are the pressures of life are overwhelming and you can't seem to find the answers or see an ending point?

DON'T LOSE HEART

2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Take courage! God's Word promises that you will overcome and see the victory, IF you don't loose heart. If you maintain the course and hold tight to your faith, you will be rejoicing in the midst of "the squeeze." At the end of this season, you will find that you've grown stronger, wiser have a greater understanding of why you went through that much pressure. BUT, you can't lose heart or give up along the way. You have to hold tight to God's Word if you want to receive the reward!

THE CHASTENING OF GOD

HEBREWS 12:4-8 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. HEBREWS 12:11 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Let's be clear, God does not tempt us or cause evil to happen upon our lives. He does, however, allow us to go through chastening, in order for us to become more like Christ. Chastening isn't spiteful punishment, but a tool for correction. There are trials and challenges in this life we all must walk through. I think everyone can admit that there are "life lesson" they might not have learned, if we had not been positioned to go through a bit of pressure.

That being said, how you respond to that pressure is 100% up to you. Do you become bitter and angry, blaming God for things not going your way? Do you throw a pity party, and constantly play the victim? If so, you're falling right into Satan's hands, leading you farther away from God. Don't be deceived by the enemy. God promised us that he will NEVER leave or abandon us.

JAMES 1:13-18

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

HARD PRESSED

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-10 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Instead of giving up hope or throwing a tantrum, RUN to Jesus! Run into the arms of your helper, healer, strength-giver, and the one who loves you. He promises to deliver you from the hands of the enemy. No matter what may come your way, you will never be crushed by the world when Jesus is as the center of who you are!

COUNT IT all JOY

JAMES 1:2-4 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Speak scripture over your life when you feel like the pressure is coming at you from all sides. Praise in through the storms of life and rejoice in the heartache! Watch Him change your situation and you change your confessions and your attitude. Allow the joy of the Lord to wash over you!

BLESSED TO ENDURE

JAMES 1:12 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

The truth is, we live in a fallen world. When we sin other people get hurt. That just the way it is. From the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, sin became a part of our Earthly experience. You might have heard the phrase, "hurt people, hurt people." It's a vicious cycle that has continued on for generations.

That being said, God has given us free will. How we choose to react in situations or pressure and conflict is completely up to us. In the midst of all our poor choices, God has promised that will never take that away from us. Our God is not a vicious dictator, spouting out orders and controlling our every move like puppets. He loves us beyond comprehension, and because of that love He gave us the choice to love Him in return.

He wants us to love and pursue a relationship with Him, completely on our own. His Holy Spirit is always reaching out. In the midst of whatever trial or stressful situation you find yourself in, He will ALWAYS intervene on your behalf, IF you call out to Him. It may not be in your timing, or how you think it should be done, but in the end you will see He came through for you. When you endure to the end, you receive the reward. Don't lose heart!

Prayer

(2 Corinthians 5:7)Father Your Word says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight" .

(Galatians 5:22-23). Help me to overcome and control our emotions. I come against any deception in the middle of this storm that would not allow me to see clearly. Your Word also says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control

Grant me the ability to walk by faith and not by what I see or feel. May the fruits of the spirit manifest in me always, with great self control over my mind will and emotions. Release the pressure from the squeezing and strain of my circumstances.

I choose to rejoice in your deliverance and welcome the comfort of your Holy Spirit.

In Jesus name Amen