We are always in the forge, or on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things. (Henry Ward Beecher)
back it up with bible
1 Peter 1:6,7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:1b,2-9,11- Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
core christianity
A Priceless Gem is Being Formed — IN YOU!
1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
We’ve been receiving dozens of emails lately from people who are really feeling the pressure, and who have expressed gratitude and appreciation for our devotions over the last few days. Reading through some of the replies, my initial thought was – wow, God is creating some magnificent diamonds!
A diamond is the hardest natural substance known, having been created by intense heat and pressure. I’m seeing believers becoming like diamonds, created the only way possible, through fiery trials…and then, the final precision sculpting by the Master Jeweler as He cuts them into priceless gems. I believe this is not just a metaphor, but a true “last days” vision, for, as these diamonds are prepared, and as the light of Yeshua begins beaming through them, I’m seeing thousands of rays of light impacting this darkening world around us…all for His glory!
Don’t despise the discipline, the intense pressure you are currently under, the testing of your faith. Rather, as hard as it can be, try to embrace them in light of what they truly are — the very method of God’s forming you into a priceless diamond for the world to see, and be amazed at the beauty of Yeshua shining bright and clear as crystal through your very life! (Worthy Devotions)
previously published
Pressure, if handled correctly and in the power of My Spirit = results, challenges, tasks completed‚ motivation, desperation. Pressure pushes you to take action. If you let it push you to Me, if you let it make you desperate, then pressure is a good thing. If you let the pressure make you stressed, then the results are negative, even though the pressure might not have been negative in itself. It’s how you react to the pressure that determines the outcome.
Pressure is a constant part of your service for Me because there is an urgency to get the job done. Look at the farmer: There’s pressure on him to plant and sow and harvest at a certain time, but he’s not stressed about it. Pressure is part of the job, but stress isn’t. Pressure is not a bad thing in itself. Pressure can motivate you, inspire you, challenge you‚ and get you moving in the right direction to accomplish My will. Pressure is a good force in your life, so you shouldn’t feel bad if you are feeling the pressure of My Spirit to get the job done. Pressure isn’t what is bad.
Remember what Paul said: “The love of Christ constrains me” (2Cor.5:14). That’s not a lazy or laid-back statement. His love for Me pressured him to do what I wanted him to do. All this to explain that pressure isn’t bad; pressure is a good part of life and motivates you to get the job done.
You should just let any feeling of pressure be an automatic signal for you to fly into My arms. Let any twinge of pressure push you to Me. When you’re there in My arms, I’ll give you the strength that you need for what I want you to do. If you’re truly open to Me, yielded to My will, and desirous of the counsel and input of [others], then I’ll make clear what is My will for you to do, and what is My will for you to leave with Me or others and not worry about. That simple formula will help eliminate ungodly stress‚ and will leave you with My calling and duty for you--which sometimes comes with a bit of pressure‚ but it is godly pressure that keeps you close to Me, dependent on Me, and allows Me to do greater things through you than you could do by yourself. (Stress Not)
make it personal
Sometimes it feels like there is a lot of pressure with so much to learn and so many areas to make progress in, spiritually, practically, and in every way. Please speak to me about the personal benefits and positives of yielding to Your pressure in my life.
