OVERCOME THE PRESSURE

In the first few months of the ministry, one of my dear friends was about getting married. He called and requested that I join his train for the wedding. I would do it with joy but there was a challenge:

At that moment, I knew I could not afford the things needed for the wedding- clothes and all! I was not even sure I would get the transport fare to go. I told my friend the honest truth. I was not embarrassed to tell him, “It is an honour but I cannot do it now. I do not have the means”. We are still great brothers till today.

Beloved, on the journey of life, one of the major things that you must work hard to overcome is pressure.

That was the first error of Saul’s kingship. In the words of King Saul:

Samuel asked, “What have you done?” Saul replied, “I saw the troops were scattering. You didn’t come when you said you would, and the Philistines were assembling at Michmash.

So I thought, ‘Now, the Philistines will come against me at Gilgal, but I haven’t sought the Lord ’s favour.’ I felt pressured into sacrificing the burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 13:11‭-‬12 GW

Did you notice what led him to do what he should not have done? He said, “You did not come when you said you would so I felt pressured”

Can I talk to someone waiting on the Lord? You have been married for years without a child. God will still show up. Do not settle for ungodly alternatives. Reject those strange suggestions.

You have graduated for years but the job you have is nothing to write home about. Do not let the pressure make you take ungodly alternatives.

You are over 30 and there are no proposals. Do not take matters into your own hands. Do not say, “Anyone that comes, I will accept. At least he is a man also”. God never wants the least for you. He wants you to have the best.

You are in ministry and you are wondering why growth seems to be elusive. Have you forgotten that God makes the man before the makes the ministry? Do not short-change yourself. Be calm under the hand and process of God. Stay focused. Do not settle for ungodly alternatives.

Beloved, if you cannot say “No” to your friend and explain the season that you are in without your friend getting angry, you may need to change company. Friendship is about sincerity and not pretence. Refuse ungodly pressure.

Saul ended up woefully. He did not learn how to stay with God while he waited for God. That was the foundation of his crisis. Do not shake while you wait for God- that is where the battle is!