Remaining Under Pressure

In high school, our coach was also our P.E. instructor. He would use that class as a conditioning class for us as well. We did a ton of calisthenics and core building . One particular exercise was very tough. We called it the Roman Chair. Each student lined up against the walls of the gym. When he blew the whistle, we had to sink down until our knee was at a right angle. We then had to hold it for a few minutes. Our legs would shake under the pressure and pain. When coach would turn around, some kids would ease up the wall to relieve the pressure. When he started to turn back around, they would quickly go back down to keep from getting caught. If he caught them, we all had to add another minute. It turns out that the people who kept trying to relieve the pressure, only hurt themselves. Their muscles, tolerance and core didn’t build or strengthen like they should have.

After David defeated Goliath, he went from a nobody to a household name quickly. That put a target on his back from King Saul. At times he swerved in the kings court and other times he ran for his life. After a while he was only on the run forcing him to live in caves, search for food and figure out who to trust. He lived under constant pressure. There were a couple of instances where he had the opportunity to take Saul’s life and gain the kingdom, but he resisted the urge to relieve the pressure he was under. His advisers kept urging to kill Saul, but David didn’t break. He understood God was in control and would give him the kingdom when He was ready to. It turns out that God was strengthening and preparing David to be the best king he could be through those years of being under pressure.

Hebrews 10:36 says, “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised” (NLT). The Amplified version adds that we should bear up under the pressures without compromising. When the pressure is on us, the easy thing is to ease up that wall, dispose of our problems or do something to relieve the pressure. However, God uses pressure to strengthen, condition and prepare us for the future He has for us. If you’re constantly trying to get out from under the pressure today, you will be underdeveloped for tomorrow. Patient endurance, the ability to bear up under the pressure, is what we need right now. When we learn to remain under what He brings our way, we will be able to receive all that He has for us. Instead of praying or trying to remove the pressure, ask God to give you the endurance you need so He can prepare you fully.

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