When The Pressure Is On.

[aiki]

Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

​

God loves us. And because He does, He is determined that we would walk with Him in the way He made us to do. This means that God will put us in circumstances where our go-to supports that aren't Him are stripped away, one by one, until all we have left is Him. Ideally, our practice would be to turn to Him first and foremost, our reflex being, when trouble hits, to press closer to His side, turning our eyes totally on Him, resting in His perfect goodness, His never-failing promises and His unparalleled power. But we often don't. Instead, in times of trouble, Christians resort to the doctor, or psychologist, or soothing music and food, or a favorite movie, or loved one. Sometimes, they withdraw, lying in bed for days, depressed, listless and isolated; sometimes, they dive into work, hiding in the distractions of their career; sometimes, they yield themselves to the dulling, foggy world of psycho-pharmaceuticals.

We reveal the truth about where we are with God, though, in our choice of support when the pressure is on. A greater pursuit of Worldly things in remediation of stress, or fear, or sorrow exposes a heart oriented in a Worldly direction. It is not a heart in love with God, that knows and desires Him, that believes He is powerful to save, comfort and heal, that runs to hours of loud pop-music for relief, or to a bottle of whiskey, or to a marathon video-gaming session.

The Christian who runs first to a spouse, or sibling, or parent, or friend for solace and strength in times of trouble rather than God, also shows a heart not properly fixed upon their Lord and King. Woe betide such a person when their human supports are removed! Their habit of turning to their fellows rather than to God speaks volumes about how they see Him and walk with Him. He is not as close as a loved one; He is not as wise as a parent or grandparent; He is not as helpful and real as a spouse, or a best friend known from childhood; He is not as powerful as family and its vital care and support. Such a view of God puts Him on the margins of one's life, distant, secondary and small. But the time comes for all of us when only God can help us, when our situation separates us from human aid, and the only One who can travel with us through our pain, and fear, and darkness is Him. How does one approach God then, when one has shrunk Him down in one's thinking to an impotent, removed, shadowy figure? Will one even think to do so? If He is so much less help than one's friends and family, why would one turn to Him at all?

It's been my experience that, for all the lip-service Christians give to the idea of God's love, to the greatness of His promises and the fullness of His power, they immediately belie their claims to believing these things when life goes awry. They don't really believe God is a "very present help in trouble," a "rock and refuge,"; there is more solace and strength in the encircling arms and gentle sympathy of a loved one than in God; there is more relief in worldly distractions or addictions than in Him; there is more help to be found in a therapist's words and prescriptions than in the Creator. How quick such believers are to sing songs of praise and adoration to God on Sunday morning; and they are equally as quick to find any other source of aid than Him in the high seas of life's troubles.

But, as I said, because God loves us, He will not allow us to remain apart from Him, depending upon other supports before and above Him. He will put us all, sooner or later, in the crucible and purge off the dross of our unbelief, and bad habits, and wrong focus and cause us to search Him out and discover He was always far better than all the things with which we had replaced Him put together. If we will not learn the truth about Him willingly in seasons of peace, He will see to it we are taught the truth of His preserving power and goodness in seasons of chaos and pain.

If, though, we are determined to keep God out, to have greater faith in lesser things, He will let us. We are not His puppets, after all. But for such people the "perfect peace" God is will remain a matter of ritualistic proclamation, not reality. The rest, joy, stability and power God offers to us in Himself cannot be known in a direct, personal way until lower, weaker sources of these things are abandoned for Him.

Don't get me wrong: Family, medicine, sources of laughter and light, good music and food are all fine. Enjoy them thoroughly, as you should. But none of these things ought ever to eclipse your Heavenly Father, replacing Him as your chief Source of peace, strength and joy. Yes, He may use those around us to communicate His love and truth to us in times of pain, and sorrow, and fear, but always ultimately with the purpose of turning our attention to Him.

So, what's your reflex under pressure? What, or who, do you go to first and most when the pressure is on? The answer to this question will reveal the truth about where you're really at with God. Do you truly believe God is who He says and will do what He promises to do for all of His children? Trouble and testing will reveal the answer.

 

[sandman]

I have always lived by the rule ..when the pressure is on …Give. Do something for someone else…. be it a service or speaking the Word …just go outside of yourself and help someone out … I just seems to relieve whatever is going on in your life.

I know it’s simple, but it works ….just as…. you cannot be depressed or ungrateful ….and thankful at the same time. Being thankful to God for anything and everything ..is the relief valve for depression and almost any self-inflicted negative mood.

 

[aiki]

I have always lived by the rule ..when the pressure is on …Give. Do something for someone else…. be it a service or speaking the Word …just go outside of yourself and help someone out … I just seems to relieve whatever is going on in your life.

I know it’s simple, but it works ….just as…. you cannot be depressed or ungrateful ….and thankful at the same time. Being thankful to God for anything and everything ..is the relief valve for depression

And God?

 

[aiki]

I agree that thankfulness and acts of service are great mood adjusters, but anyone - believer or non-believer - can use these things to counteract unhappiness or stress. What you've offered as a strategy for handling the pressure of life's difficult times, then, is fundamentally different from what I was urging in my OP. Definitely, a Christian ought to be grateful and charitable in their deeds, but God never says in His word that these things ought to - or can - replace Him as our "refuge and strength." There is a danger, though, as I explained in my OP, of turning to these psychological strategies you've described rather than to God, in times of trouble. Our first and primary resort, however, should be to our Heavenly Father. Only in Him will we find "the peace that passes all understanding."

 

[DiscipleOfChrist85]

I would be lying if I that every time the pressure is on, I turn to everything but God and at the time of writing this, I'm struggling with this as we speak. The truth is my pride gets in the way as it always does. I don't like to depend on God because I want to try to solve my problems alone and because I want the glory. The other reason as you posted in others threads @aiki, is that I do not fellowship with God properly. God often feels like a distant figure off doing more important things that worrying about my useless problems. This is of course not true, God loves all of us and is he is waited for me to ask for his help and depend on him instead of always leaning on me and my own abilities.

 

[Jesus is my Superhero]

I would be lying if I that every time the pressure is on, I turn to everything but God and at the time of writing this, I'm struggling with this as we speak. The truth is my pride gets in the way as it always does. I don't like to depend on God because I want to try to solve my problems alone and because I want the glory. The other reason as you posted in others threads @aiki, is that I do not fellowship with God properly. God often feels like a distant figure off doing more important things that worrying about my useless problems. This is of course not true, God loves all of us and is he is waited for me to ask for his help and depend on him instead of always leaning on me and my own abilities.

Knowing yourself well enough to see this in yourself is a good thing. Perhaps, prayer with fasting will show you how to progress past this struggle. I've had similar difficulties in the past and have learned to humble myself and to wait upon the Eternal. Self has caused me many stumblings.

 

[IWalkAlone]

And God?

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

[aiki]

But there are generous atheists, and Muslims, and agnostics. In-and-of itself, giving is not indicative of a life under Christ's control or that is seeking him.

 

[ripple the car]

“The Christian who runs to a spouse, or sibling, or parent, or friend for solace and strength in times of trouble rather than God, shows a heart not properly fixed upon their Lord and King.”

It’s ok to turn to the people God has given us for help, support, understanding, advice, and friendship. That is why God has given them to us.

 

[aiki]

“The Christian who runs to a spouse, or sibling, or parent, or friend for solace and strength in times of trouble rather than God, shows a heart not properly fixed upon their Lord and King.”

It’s ok to turn to the people God has given us for help, support, understanding, advice, and friendship. That is why God has given them to us.

Yup. This is why I wrote in the OP of this thread:

"Don't get me wrong: Family, medicine, sources of laughter and light, good music and food are all fine. Enjoy them thoroughly, as you should. But none of these things ought ever to eclipse your Heavenly Father, replacing Him as your chief Source of peace, strength and joy. Yes, He may use those around us to communicate His love and truth to us in times of pain, and sorrow, and fear, but always ultimately with the purpose of turning our attention to Him."

 

[IWalkAlone]

But there are generous atheists, and Muslims, and agnostics. In-and-of itself, giving is not indicative of a life under Christ's control or that is seeking him.

But for a Christian giving and serving is serving the Lord.

 

[aiki]

But for a Christian giving and serving is serving the Lord.

Oh? What about 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? Paul thought Christians could be giving and serving - even in extreme measure - in way that was spiritually useless. And in any case, what does this have to do with the OP exactly?

 

[IWalkAlone]

Oh? What about 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? Paul thought Christians could be giving and serving - even in extreme measure - in way that was spiritually useless. And in any case, what does this have to do with the OP exactly?

Paul actually taught love, and that out of love we should share with each other. One church helping the other when one is prosperous and another poor. He said this is about equality, not giving yourself to the poor house.

2 Corinthians 8:8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

what does this have to do with the OP exactly?

Its about where our service is to God, you asked about God. But this will be my last post. My apologies,.

 

[aiki]

Paul actually taught love, and that out of love we should share with each other.

Amen. He did. But he also taught that believers could speak with an angelic tongue, or have faith enough to move a mountain, or give their bodies to be burned in martyrdom for the Christian faith and all of it would be useless if not done out of a motive of love, first for God, and then for others. But when we are pressed severely by life's troubles, brought down even to the valley of the shadow of death, God offers to us Himself, not family, or friends, or money, or medicine, as our Refuge and Strength. Loving others in these times is difficult if not impossible; in such times, we have the capacity only to cling to the Rock, to hide in the Strong Tower that God is. But if our habit has been to rely on other things, to seek comfort and strength in lesser things, when nothing but God will do, we may have wandered so far from Him that we do not even think to seek Him out for aid and are left desolate in our trouble.

Its about where our service is to God, you asked about God. But this will be my last post. My apologies,.

I've no problem with you urging your brothers and sisters in Christ to service to one another. I just wondered if, in your mind, there was some connection to the topic of the OP that you were making in addressing the matter of loving service. Sometimes we see connections between things in our own minds so clearly that we think these connections are just as evident to others.

Anyway, I wasn't chasing you off the thread, just trying to keep the thread aligned with the OP.

 

[Minister Monardo]

So, what's your reflex under pressure? What, or who, do you go to first and most when the pressure is on? The answer to this question will reveal the truth about where you're really at with God. Do you truly believe God is who He says and will do what He promises to do for all of His children? Trouble and testing will reveal the answer.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
I have no problem with the first reaction to difficulties to turn to God in prayer. However,
knowing all the testimony that confirms the Lord has made us a part of His body, it is hard to
imagine the answer to your prayers to be found outside the body of Christ.
Do you believe a mature member of your fellowship is able to give you a word of knowledge
by the Holy Spirit?
The power of praying first is that the words you receive from a fellow believer
can be confirmed to be from God by the Spirit testifying to our spirit.
Obedience to the "Law of Christ" insists that we be available to the beloved. There will always
be a hesitancy in approaching fellow believers in times of difficulty, if we don't openly and warmly convey to others that you are there for them, to pray together, to establish an agreement, by
which we can walk together in spirit and in truth. To serve on another is to serve the Lord, and
fulfill the Law of Christ.

Romans 12:
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things,
but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

 

[aiki]

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
I have no problem with the first reaction to difficulties to turn to God in prayer. However,
knowing all the testimony that confirms the Lord has made us a part of His body, it is hard to
imagine the answer to your prayers to be found outside the body of Christ.

Mostly, I agree with you. Though, if the answer to my prayer is, say, medicine or a medical procedure, it may be outside of the Body of Believers that I must go to find it.

Do you believe a mature member of your fellowship is able to give you a word of knowledge
by the Holy Spirit?

They may direct me toward the word of God, certainly, but of a "word of knowledge" given apart from it I would be deeply wary.

The power of praying first is that the words you receive from a fellow believer
can be confirmed to be from God by the Spirit testifying to our spirit.

It's been my experience that first, and far more deeply, God works directly in my mind and heart to comfort and strengthen me. Secondarily, He may use fellow believers to communicate His love and truth to me, but never does He do this only, in place of His direct interaction with me in my mind and heart.

Obedience to the "Law of Christ" insists that we be available to the beloved.

Yup. Agreed.

There will always
be a hesitancy in approaching fellow believers in times of difficulty, if we don't openly and warmly convey to others that you are there for them, to pray together, to establish an agreement, by
which we can walk together in spirit and in truth. To serve on another is to serve the Lord, and
fulfill the Law of Christ.

Yup. Which is why I've been a long-time member of a local community of believers, serving as an Elder and discipler among them.

 

[Minister Monardo]

Mostly, I agree with you. Though, if the answer to my prayer is, say, medicine or a medical procedure, it may be outside of the Body of Believers that I must go to find it.

Yeah, the role of medicine is a touchy subject for many believers. My view is that doctors are
doing their best to alleviate suffering, and medicine can help us through the challenges of
human infirmities. I look to the Lord for my healing, and see man's medicine as assisting
in the process. Pain is unpleasant, and we naturally seek relief. The Lord alone is our healer.
"One sows, another waters, but God brings the increase." Give Him all the glory, give the
doctor a thank you, and a co-pay.

They may direct me toward the word of God, certainly, but of a "word of knowledge" given apart from it I would be deeply wary.

Sure. By describing your brother as a "mature Christian", I am referring to your closest
inner circle, those with whom you have consistently experienced the Anointing, and have
formed a trust based on agreement, received from the Word of God, of course.

It's been my experience that first, and far more deeply, God works directly in my mind and heart to comfort and strengthen me. Secondarily, He may use fellow believers to communicate His love and truth to me, but never does He do this only, in place of His direct interaction with me in my mind and heart.

Yes...and yet if we consider when we were babes in Christ, those roles were reversed.
Ephesians 4:
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some
pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

The experiences you refer to comes with a responsibility and obligation to step into that role
for others. I am certainly willing to accept that you have come to a place of knowing His
Voice, and less in need of going to the body of Christ for everything. If a new believer seeks answers from a mature member, the best advice comes with your testimony to seek God in prayer. I would
not object to asking "have you prayed about that", as long is that is not dismissive. Your testimony
will encourage a disciple to seek the relationship that you demonstrate as having with the Lord.
This is all the working of the Holy Spirit Anointing that flows from fellowship among the body. The
more you receive from the Lord in the prayer closet, the more you can give to others.
"Let all things be done for edification".

 

[Sunshinee777]

Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

​

God loves us. And because He does, He is determined that we would walk with Him in the way He made us to do. This means that God will put us in circumstances where our go-to supports that aren't Him are stripped away, one by one, until all we have left is Him. Ideally, our practice would be to turn to Him first and foremost, our reflex being, when trouble hits, to press closer to His side, turning our eyes totally on Him, resting in His perfect goodness, His never-failing promises and His unparalleled power. But we often don't. Instead, in times of trouble, Christians resort to the doctor, or psychologist, or soothing music and food, or a favorite movie, or loved one. Sometimes, they withdraw, lying in bed for days, depressed, listless and isolated; sometimes, they dive into work, hiding in the distractions of their career; sometimes, they yield themselves to the dulling, foggy world of psycho-pharmaceuticals.

We reveal the truth about where we are with God, though, in our choice of support when the pressure is on. A greater pursuit of Worldly things in remediation of stress, or fear, or sorrow exposes a heart oriented in a Worldly direction. It is not a heart in love with God, that knows and desires Him, that believes He is powerful to save, comfort and heal, that runs to hours of loud pop-music for relief, or to a bottle of whiskey, or to a marathon video-gaming session.

The Christian who runs to a spouse, or sibling, or parent, or friend for solace and strength in times of trouble rather than God, shows a heart not properly fixed upon their Lord and King. Woe betide such a person when their human supports are removed! Their habit of turning to their fellows rather than to God speaks volumes about how they see Him and walk with Him. He is not as close as a loved one; He is not as wise as a parent or friend; He is not as helpful and real as a spouse, or a best friend known from childhood; He is not as powerful as family and its vital care and support. Such a view of God puts Him on the margins of one's life, distant, secondary and small. But the time comes for all of us when only God can help us, when our situation separates us from human aid, and the only One who can travel with us through our pain, and fear, and darkness is Him. How does one approach God then, when one has shrunk Him down in one's thinking to an impotent, removed, shadowy figure? Will one even think to do so? If He is so much less help than one's friends and family, why would one turn to Him at all?

It's been my experience that, for all the lip-service Christians give to the idea of God's love, to the greatness of His promises and the fullness of His power, they immediately belie their claims to believing these things when life goes awry. They don't really believe God is a "very present help in trouble," a "rock and refuge,"; there is more solace and strength in the encircling arms and gentle sympathy of a loved one than in God; there is more relief in worldly distractions or addictions than in Him; there is more help to be found in a therapist's words and prescriptions than in the Creator. How quick such believers are to sing songs of praise and adoration to God on Sunday morning; and they are equally as quick to find any other source of aid than Him in the high seas of life's troubles.

But, as I said, because God loves us, He will not allow us to remain apart from Him, depending upon other supports before and above Him. He will put us all, sooner or later, in the crucible and purge off the dross of our unbelief, and bad habits, and wrong focus and cause us to search Him out and discover He was always far better than all the things with which we had replaced Him put together. If we will not learn the truth about Him willingly in seasons of peace, He will see to it we are taught the truth of His preserving power and goodness in seasons of chaos and pain.

If, though, we are determined to keep God out, to have greater faith in lesser things, He will let us. We are not His puppets, after all. But for such people the "perfect peace" God is will remain a matter of ritualistic proclamation, not reality. The rest, joy, stability and power God offers to us in Himself cannot be known in a direct, personal way until lower, weaker sources of these things are abandoned for Him.

Don't get me wrong: Family, medicine, sources of laughter and light, good music and food are all fine. Enjoy them thoroughly, as you should. But none of these things ought ever to eclipse your Heavenly Father, replacing Him as your chief Source of peace, strength and joy. Yes, He may use those around us to communicate His love and truth to us in times of pain, and sorrow, and fear, but always ultimately with the purpose of turning our attention to Him.

So, what's your reflex under pressure? What, or who, do you go to first and most when the pressure is on? The answer to this question will reveal the truth about where you're really at with God. Do you truly believe God is who He says and will do what He promises to do for all of His children? Trouble and testing will reveal the answer.

Excellent post Aiki.
How easy it is to be distracted by work/family/friends/entertaiment.
And forget to spend time with God and in scriptures. Im quilty of this, gladly God is so great that He will remind us way or another if we are to ”slip away”

 

[Sunshinee777]

“The Christian who runs to a spouse, or sibling, or parent, or friend for solace and strength in times of trouble rather than God, shows a heart not properly fixed upon their Lord and King.”

It’s ok to turn to the people God has given us for help, support, understanding, advice, and friendship. That is why God has given them to us.

I agree but I prefer to go to God first on everything rather than friends.
I mean God is above everything else.

 

[aiki]

Bump.