Pressure

“Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of a great opportunity.”–Michael Johnson

I needed to read this quote today.

I received some news this morning that unsettled me and caused fear to crash into my day like a car shoots through a storefront window when the driver confuses the gas with the brake.

On such a beautiful sunny day, these storm clouds within were most unwelcome.

Then, in God’s providence, I saw the above quote and it spoke to my heart in a powerful way.

So…the fear has come, the situation is scary…what is my opportunity here?

It is simply this: to make my feelings submit to the timeless truths of God’s Word.

There are 365 days in our calender year…and I have heard that there are 365 “fear nots” in the Bible…one for every single day of the year.

Fear only has a chance to be a part of my day if I allow it to.

I am choosing to deny it access.

Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated)…Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give you…do not let your hearts be troubled; neither let them be afraid (Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled). —John 14:1, 27, Amplified version

Every time fear tries to worm its way back into my heart, I will meditate on this verse and allow His peace to eclipse and decimate the fear.

Not only will I deny fear access, I will choose to focus ONLY on today. There is nothing I can do to change the past and I am commanded by Jesus not to worry about the future (Matthew 6:34)

My opportunity is to fully live this day, to be completely present, to focus on the blessings that my gracious God has given to me within this 24 hour time frame.

My opportunity is not to allow shadows and ‘what ifs?’ to intimidate me.

My opportunity is to rest in the certain knowledge that my God will fight for me.

My opportunity this day is a huge one: to believe my faithful and good God.

My opportunity is to accept God’s invitation to  fully rejoice in Him.

This is an opportunity to live what I believe.

I will accept the challenge and by His grace, I will live this day in victory.

“My feelings should be an indicator of my situation but never a dictator of my reaction.”–Lysa Terkeurst