Make Up Your Mind: 4 Decisions That Will Transform Your Walk With GodSample

What Pressure Points To

"I choose to walk in God's presence over the world's pressure."

It's not uncommon in life to encounter moments that press us into corners and squeeze the breath out of our joy and peace. It's in these pressure-filled moments that reveal what truly holds the seat of importance in our lives.

Pressure, often perceived as an unwelcome visitor, carries the unique ability to point us toward our deepest worries, fears, and anxieties. It acts as a thread, pulling us towards the root: misplaced affection for a good thing turned god-thing or an unhealthy attachment to detrimental things. When we are honest enough to follow this thread, it shows us whatever occupies the throne of our heart, other than God, inevitably leads to a state of panic and pressure, for it cannot fulfill the promises only God can keep.

In 1 Samuel 5, there's a story that really makes you think about what or who we rely on in our lives. The Ark of God, which for the people of Israel was a direct symbol of God's presence among them, ends up being taken by their enemies, the Philistines. They put this Ark in the temple of their own god, Dagon, as a way to show off their victory. But things don't go as planned. The next morning, the statue of Dagon is found face-down before the Ark, as if bowing down to it, and later, it's found broken into pieces. This story is a vivid reminder that putting our trust and reliance on anything other than God – be it people, possessions, or other beliefs – is to put our trust in things that can't hold the pressure, that aren't rated to hold the weight, and ultimately, will crumble.

Instead of white-knuckling the things of this world that can't sustain you, let your hearts echo the sentiments of Psalm 84 and let your heart long for the presence of God. In doing so, we will find that the pressures of life, rather than crushing us, will catapult us closer to the Father, where true security and peace are found.

May we, like David, find our greatest joy not in the absence of pressure but in the presence of God, where every worry fades away in the light of His glory and grace.