With all that’s going on in our lives and our world, we often wish it would all just stop. We need to look at pressure, trials and problems in a WHOLE NEW WAY…

Let’s Change It Today:

1. Today, start seeing the pressure in your life as a blessing! I’m not saying to lay down and take whatever life or the devil brings. But look at it as an opportunity rather than a burden.
2. Realize you’re not alone. The apostle, Paul, was so overwhelmed by the pressure around him that he wanted to just end his life. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

3. Discover the silver lining. Paul discovered it and said things were so bad in his life, that “we expected to die. BUT AS A RESULT, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely ONLY on God, who raises the dead.” 2 Cor. 1:9 (Amplified)
4. Intimidate the thing trying to intimidate you. (Teenage version: Freak out the things trying to freak you out!) When you’re up against it, declare like Paul, “this was the best thing that could have happened, because we were forced to trust God totally–” (2 Corinthians 1:9 Message Translation). This scares the devil!
5. Be light-hearted about your trials. James said, “Count it all joy…” (James 1:3).

6. Put things in perspective. Paul whimsically and humorously concludes, “We were forced to trust God totally—NOT A BAD IDEA, SINCE HE’S THE GOD WHO RAISES THE DEAD!” (2 Cor. 1:9 Message). Duh!
7. Say of the Lord, “He is my refuge…My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:2) Trust Him who raises the dead to rescue you! (Jeremiah 39:18 NASB).

THINK IT & SAY IT:
I make up my mind to see pressure as an opportunity to trust in God completely. I will trust and not be afraid. Whatever comes against me will force me to totally trust God, and He will deliver me. I rejoice in my trials, because if God can raise the dead, He will certainly rescue me in any and every situation, In Jesus’ Name.