Its quite normal to hear of being burdened by the pressures of life on a daily basis. In fact, a true Christian most often suffers much more than the common folk. The very fact he is a Christian brings the enemy of our soul to work out his schemes to thwart every good purpose we want to pursue. It is a real life fight on a daily basis. Besides this, there is also a persistent fight against our own carnal nature. To add to all these, we have the cares of daily life to be taken care of. The ups and downs in economy, natural and other calamities, and other innumerable troubles along the road of life affect us in one way or the other. We often get bewildered about what is happening all around us. But the Bible gives us the answer- “…this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”

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Let us not lose heart! See what Apostle Paul talks about these daily pressures of life: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (2Cor.4:8-9 ESV).  The battles that we face is like a great bulldozer coming against our life which we don’t know how to face. But as Christians we have the advantage. We have a treasure inside of us, Jesus Christ who lives in us through His Spirit. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2Cor.4:7) He helps us from inside out, so that we do not explode under pressure or get crushed under the weight of the problems we face. It’s amazing how we can withstand every storm of our life through His power!

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There is a double-fold benefit from all these pressures of life:

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• Our inner self is renewed daily even though our outer self is perishing under these troubles: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2Cor. 4:16). The Spirit of God within the believer strengthens him from within. Ephesians 3:16 says, “….that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man…” He empowers us to live a victorious Christian life!

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• Our afflictions are much benefit to our ministry. When the minister comes under the daily pressures of life, he is used by the Lord to minister to multitudes even under life-threatening situations. Every persecution has always paved the way for furthering God’s Kingdom work. The afflictions and pressures that come to God’s people who are living in His purpose, happens for good and in the advancement of the Kingdom of God. That is the reason Paul writes: “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” (2Cor. 4:11-12)

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So let us turn our hearts to God, surrender to Him willingly for Him to work out His good in us. Let the pressures of life, bring within us the glory of God and through it may God be glorified in and through our lives!

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Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me persevere under the daily pressures of life so that I may display the indwelling treasure- Jesus Christ in me. Amen.