Pressure

2 Corinthians 1:8 NKJV

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

Contemplate these facts:

Pressure will produce positive results if we react to it correctly.

Pressure is allowed by God in His patterning process.

Pressure will test the resiliency and strength of a leader.

Proverbs 24:10 NKJV

If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

Pressure teaches us to trust God.

Frankly...

“I must accept the Truth! I must handle pressure properly!”

In Jesus Name!

1. ILLUSTRATION

Many Things Only Work Because of Pressure:

Air planes rise because of air pressure.

Automated Answering Systems:

Push one for…Push two for...

To get anything done, I have to keep pushing…!

On the east coast of Canada the cod fishery has almost been destroyed from over fishing.

In flavour and texture has produced a market around the world.

The public demand posed problems for the industry.

Freezing took away flavor.

Shipping the cod in tanks of seawater the fish lost texture.

Someone found the answer:

Put catfish…it’s natural enemy… into the tanks of seawater with the cod.

During the shipping the cod was constantly chased!

At the end of the journey the cod’s texture and flavour saw a remarkable increase and not decrease.

WOW! AND HERE’S THE LESSON…

All of us need catfish pressure!!

Jesus was exposed to pressure after His baptism

Matthew 4:1 NKJV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Paul was pressed out of measure.

2 Corinthians 1:8 NKJV

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

Elijah caved in under the pressure of a woman full of hell.

1 Kings 19:4 NKJV

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

David almost broke under the pressure at Ziglag.

Job was swamped by the tidal waves of pressure.

So...

Appointments, Appointments, Appointments

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Plans, Plans, Plans

Conflicts, Conflicts, Conflicts

HOW DO I HANDLE IT ALL???

Step aside...

Take a coffee break...

Consider the following:

1. ACCEPT GOD’S PRESSURE PRINCIPLE

2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

A flag will blow only as wind assails it.

Grapes only produce wine as they are pressed.

Muscles pushing against opposite forces produce new muscle tissue.

DON’T FIGHT PRESSURE...

ACCEPT IT...

ALLOW IT TO FORCE YOU TO HIGHER HEIGHTS!

2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

WHAT A PARADOX! WHAT A PRINCIPLE!

2. LET PRESSURE PRODUCE PRAYER:

Illustration: John Wesley’s marriage is one of the most grievous in church history… She tormented him beyond measure. He declared: “Most of my success I attribute to my wife...” She kept him on his knees!

PRESSURE!!!

The pressure of Calvary drove Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane… there to pray.

E. M. Bounds declared:

Prayer...

Subdues the strength of fire

Hushes anarchy

Extinguishes wars

Bridled the rage of lions

Repelled frauds

Rescued Cities

Burst the chains of death

In other words: Prayer is the avenue through which God relieves pressure.

3. PRESSURE SHOULD HELP YOU TO YOKE UP WITH JESUS:

Matthew 11:29 NKJV

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

It’s a powerful key! When you find yourself at your extremity, find your strength and stabilizer in Jesus Christ.

T.R.U.S.T

Taking Rest Under Severe Trial

Life is full of currents!

Sometimes the tide is in.. sometimes out.

The speed and endurance of tidal currents vary from time to time and place to place.

Many a person has lost their equilibrium during times of high water.

Tidal waves of tribulation, trials, and tragedies will unbalance the best of us if they can.

These negative currents of life can and will change our direction, erode away our convocations and undermine our faith systems...

Unless our anchor is secure.

OUR ANCHOR IS JESUS

4. PRESSURE WILL GET YOU UNLESS YOU ENCOURAGE YOURSELF:

That’s what David did at Ziklag:

1 Samuel 30:4–6 (KJV)

Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. … And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him… but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Oh, Yeeeeeeessss … Leadership has to have the ability to:

Preach to Yourself

Sing to Yourself

Laugh to Yourself

Encourage Yourself

Paul V. Reynolds

Guyana

Promoted

Jim Jones

Socialistic Government said absolutely not....

Fasting and Prayer

Quickened to write a letter

Jamaican Letterhead

From a sister nation

Signed. Comrade Reynolds

CONCLUSION:

Accept God’s Pressure Principle

Let Pressure Produce Prayer

Pressure Should Help You to Yoke up with Jesus

Pressure will get you unless you encourage yourself

Most things are built for pressure.

It’s how we handle pressure that counts.

NOW EVERYONE SAY IT WITH ME

I can handle it...

I’ll tough it out somehow...

WITH JESUS!