What to Do When You are Under Pressure

‘We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair.’ – 2Corinthians 4:8 AMP

Pressures of life come to us all at certain points of our lives; however, some experience more pressure in certain areas of their lives than others. While some are under the burden of physical [pain] or emotional distress, others are under financial pressure. Unfortunately, that is the design of this present fallen world, and even more, fortunately, there is hope and victory for the saints of God.

Sources of Pressures

The devil is a major cause of pressures, especially those that carry his signatures of misery, pain, distress, and anxiety. Pressures of life, usually by the constraints of circumstances, are the strings that the devil uses to manipulate people to worry, fear, doubt, and make wrong choices; much like a puppet-master manipulates his puppet for sheer entertainment. Many people allow satan to pull and push them around, as a result of their ignorance of God’s power and wisdom to make them immune to satan’s crafty wiles.

Shopping Receipts and Small Shopping Trolley

Our foolish mistakes and hasty decisions can also bring us under unnecessary pressure. This is why you have to depend less on your feelings and incline your heart to the signals of the Indwelling Spirit of God (See Proverbs 3:5,6). For instance, one who is not disciplined in spending and saving will soon find himself under financial pressure, likewise, one who refuses to forgive other people their sins will soon find himself under bodily pressure caused by pain or sickness.

However, it is the will and the delight of God that His children live their lives in peace, joy, and liberty. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” – Galatians 5:1 NKJV

No doubt, God wants you to live a life free from pressures, but it is up to you to say ‘yes’ to the Father’s provisions for you. He has made His (i) power and (ii) wisdom available so you can enter and dwell in the protective zone where you’ll be immune to all kinds of pressures (See Psalm 27:5).

Dealing with Life’s Pressures

Here we are going to dig into God Will Provide for our escape and relief from unnecessary pressures of life. These provisions, His (i) power and (ii) wisdom, can only be accessed through His Word.

1. Rejoice

“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4 AMP

One of the things that pressure does is that it seeks to make you despair and lose hope for what is ahead. When despair, distress, and anxiety set in, there is no way victory can be attained. On the other hand, joy is anti-pressure and anti-depressant. You should learn to delight yourself in God! That is what Paul the Apostle knew to do often, and that is why he wrote in 2nd Corinthians 4:8, ‘We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair.’ Paul knew how to shrug off pressures and kick despair out the door of his life. He knew it is by rejoicing in the Lord (See Acts 16:20-34). While pressure seeks to weaken and demoralize you, robbing you of hope, joy seeks to strengthen you and make you bold and hopeful for better things. “…And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.” – Nehemiah 8:10 AMP

You ask me, ‘How do I rejoice’? Sing, dance and shout to the Lord! Yes, even in the face of unwanted pressures and circumstances.

2. Believe the Word of God

“Those who trust in and rely on the LORD [with confident expectation] are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but remains forever.” Psalm 125:1 AMP

There are thousands of God’s promises loaded in the Bible that address your particular need and situation, that’s how much God cares about you. For instance, the word of God says for those afflicted with pains and sickness in their bodies, “When evening came, they brought to Him [Jesus] many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfil what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “He himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.” – Matthew 8:17 AMP. You will experience healing and relief by declaring the word of God after you have first believed it. Faith in God’s word releases His power!

Any circumstance or any issue that is putting you under pressure has its own answer in the Word of God. Take out your Bible, look for the scriptures that pertain to your needs, read and meditate on them, believe them and say the same words out of your mouth.

Are you broken-hearted or afflicted with sorrow? Here is the Word of God you must believe, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].” – Psalm 147:3 AMP

Now, you take that scripture, meditate on and believe it!

There is nothing that puts people under pressure that is not addressed and solved by God’s word. Get your bible and fish out the scriptures that address that situation putting you under pressure!

3. Be Full of Thanksgiving and Praises

“In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1st Thessalonians 5:18 AMP

Have you gotten your Bible out? And have you seen the scriptures tailored to your needs? Now believe them and begin to thank God for His Word. You see, thanking God is an action that shows you believe God’s promises and you desire to experience them in your life. Thanksgiving gets the attention of heaven and complaining gets the attention of the demonic kingdom! No matter the pressure, never give in to complaining! Those who complain end up getting worse and worse. Rather, choose to thank God because He is faithful to His word. The more you thank Him, the closer He is drawn to you.

Praise is likewise important. To praise God is to magnify and glorify Him, especially by the attributes of His perfections. God has many divine attributes, the top of which are His love, mercy, and faithfulness to His Word. You take His word and begin to praise Him for His faithfulness. “…singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.” Ephesians 4:19. Give the Lord beautiful songs of praise, with a dance. You see, when you begin to praise Him, you are inviting His presence around your life and no pressure or devil can hang around that! I tell you the truth when you praise God habitually, the evil presence that might be responsible for that unpalatable situation and pressure will be pushed out of its hiding place in your life because God’s presence will come to take over! Take quality time to praise Him for His precious promises, because He is ever faithful.

4. Be Wise by Depending on and Obeying the ONLY Wise God

“O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps in life.” Jeremiah 10:23 AMP

There are times when our foolish mistakes and hasty decisions are what actually bring us under unnecessary pressure. We often think that we are wise enough to plan and decide whatever we want without God’s guidance or approval. Warning signals are often ignored, and we end up in trouble. But it doesn’t have to be that way, because the Lord always guides and gives counsel to those who heartily depend on Him. There are a whole lot of blessings in seeking to know and obeying God’s counsel for every important decision in your life. Remember He is the master potter and you are the clay (See Jeremiah 18:1-6, Isaiah 64:8).

The Lord holds the future in His strong hands and wants you to trust His counsel, for He can never lead you astray. None is as wise as the Lord (See 1 Timothy 1:17 NKJV). Glorious things are spoken of you, why do you have to be under unnecessary pressure again and again?

“He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way rightly [who follows the way that I show him], I shall show the salvation of God.” – Psalm 50:23 AMP

There is an endless victory for you at the feet of Jesus. He promises you peace, joy, liberty and a glorious hope for the days ahead. Fear is an illusion from the enemy, do not give into it. He who created the heavens and the earth holds you in both palms of His hands (See Isaiah 49:16) and will never let you fall, as you trust Him with your life.

I hope this Word was helpful to you. What has the Lord said to you through this Word? Any particular verse? Have you got a short testimony how you overcame a time of being under pressure? Please share in a comment box below.