Pressure
Matthew 26:36-46

The word pressure is defined as “a condition of distress or demands requiring immediate attention.”  All of us go through times where life’s demands seem to exceed our supply and we find ourselves experiencing pressure.  Pressure is unavoidable, but how you respond to it is optional.  God’s word gives us a blueprint for effectively handling pressure.  If we as believers are going to be a witness in the world, then there has to be a difference between how the world handles pressure and how we handle pressure.  Many people, the moment their lives come under pressure, the first thing they lose control of is their emotions. 

In Proverbs 16:32, the Bible is suggests that even if it looks like we are victorious on the outside, that image has no impact if there is no victory on the inside.  If you show me someone who cannot control their emotions, I will show you someone who cannot control their life.

Matthew 26, tells us the story of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.  The reality of the cross is at the forefront of His mind, and He finds Himself experiencing pressure like you and I will never know.  For the first time in His life, His humanity is in conflict with His deity.  I believe the steps Jesus took to handle Gethsemane are the very steps that will give us the victory when we find ourselves under pressure. Jesus:

1.    Surrounded Himself with a support system (Peter and the sons of Zebedee)
2.    Communicated His feelings (“My soul is overwhelmed”)
3.    Prayed
4.    Got victory of His “will”
5.    Repeated the process
6.    Faced His situation

No matter what you might be facing, remember that God has given you a blueprint to guarantee your victory!

-Rev. Bobby Huguley