What Do You Do When the World is Pressing In?

What do you do when the world is pressing
in and you feel you can't go on...

Recognize, Reflect, Rest, and Remember

1. Recognize every breath you take is a gift from God. So, take a deep breath; and as you do, realize God just provided a miracle for you. Think about it...the very breath you took is a gift from God. So breathe deep; breathing deeply for five minutes has proven to generate clearer thinking and relieve stress. I encourage you to take the next five minutes; do nothing other than, breathe in and breathe out. Thank God for your life and the breath He provides you.

2. Reflect on WHO you serve. Nahum 1:7 says, "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him..." (NIV) God is GOOD. He is a REFUGE from all of life's storms. He cares for you; put your trust in Him.

3. Rest and take refuge in God; know He will deliver you and save you. Psalm 37:39-40 encourages us; "The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." (NIV)

4. Remember what God has promised you and meditate on the truth of God's word. Fear escalates when we focus on our circumstances or our inabilities. Fulfilling God's call has never been about our abilities, our power, or our influence...it's always been about GOD's. Through God we can do ALL things. He give strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. He fulfills all His promises and never forsakes the righteous. God is not a man that He should lie...when He speaks...who can reverse? If God is for us...who can stand against us?

5. Reflect on God's amazing power. Think about His power--He created the world by speaking it into existence. He sent Jesus to demonstrate His love for us. Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (NIV) God's intention toward you are good. He is a consuming fire. (Deut. 4:24). He is merciful. (Deut. 4:31) Deut. 7:9-10 says, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." NIV

PRAYER: Father, bless each and every one of my friends with Your Presence. Strengthen them. Help them to rest securely in You. Speak comfort. Provide peace. Work miracles on their behalf; in Jesus name, amen!