We all experience periods in our lives when the pressures from every direction weigh heavily upon us. These pressures can come from many areas such as responsibilities, delays, disappointment, family troubles, financial struggles, health problems, or the quiet struggle of dealing with situations others cannot fully understand. Even though you continue to pray, encourage others and serve faithfully, you may find yourself asking "when will it get better?"
Psalm 118:5 provides us a great reminder of hope: “when hard pressed, I cried to the lord; he brought me into a spacious place." While this verse does not dismiss the fact that we are going through difficult circumstances, it confirms them. David was very aware of what it felt like to be hard pressed. David was familiar with feeling the burden of persecution from people, being misunderstood, and having his physical ability pushed far beyond its limits. However, he knew that the pressure he experienced was not the final chapter in his life's story.
David was anointed to be king long before he took office. God had already selected David to be king, however, the road leading to David becoming king was not paved with ease. After defeating Goliath and gaining popularity among the people of Israel, King Saul began to resent David. King Saul made attempts to destroy David multiple times which forced David to flee for his life. David lived for years in caves, travelled throughout the wilderness, and constantly feared for his safety.
It could have easily led to David becoming bitter. David could have said "lord, if you chose me why am I experiencing such hardship? Why am I being pursued by someone I trusted? If you are with me why doesn't my life reflect that truth?" Instead of allowing himself to ask these types of questions David discovered something significant during his time in the wilderness. Pressure was not evidence that God had left him. Pressure was just another tool god was using to prepare David for the task of leadership.
Each cave prepared David to depend on God. Each betrayal helped shape David’s character. Each Delay helped train David's patience. Each battle increased David's courage. David learned how to trust God privately before he could lead publicly.
While the wilderness was a difficult time for David, it was not a wasted time.
Likewise, your season of difficulty may be uncomfortable, but it does not mean God has completed with you. today's pressure may be developing the strength, wisdom, compassion and Faith you will need tomorrow. God does not waste pain that is surrendered to him.
At times we pray for growth, advancement, breakthroughs and open doors, but we don’t always realize that preparation usually precedes promotion. Seeds must crack open before they sprout. Gold must melt in the fire before it shines. Muscles must be stretched before they become stronger. Likewise, there are moments when God allows us to be stretched so that our Faith becomes more profound and our character becomes stronger.
You may feel overlooked, delayed or rejected, but God is still writing your story. Waiting is not rejecting. Hardship is not failure. A tough season does not mean your future has vanished.
Imagine getting up each morning and giving your best effort, but nothing seems to move quickly enough. You are working hard but producing little fruit. You are praying but receiving few answers. You are serving others while silently needing encouragement yourself.
God sees all of it.
He sees every hidden tear. He hears every whisper prayed. He knows the burden you carry in secret. He understands the battles you fight without talking about them. And he can still bring you into a spacious place.
A spacious place is a place where you can catch your breath again. Where there is peace after chaos. Strength after weakness. Joy after sorrow. Breakthrough after waiting. Healing after hurt. It is the place where you start seeing that God was at work even when you couldn't figure out what he was doing.
David didn't stay in the cave forever. Joseph didn't stay in prison forever. Moses didn't stay in the wilderness forever. Your current pressure has an expiration date too. God knows exactly when to release his people from their trials.
Don't let pressure turn you bitter. Bitterness can slowly rob you of your peace, joy and hope. Instead, let pressure draw you closer to God. Allow it to teach you how to pray more deeply, how to trust more strongly and how to rely on God more completely.
As romans 5:3-4 states, "we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance builds character and character produces hope." Note that the journey does not end in defeat. It ends in hope.
Your current season of pressure may be overwhelming right now, but you are not defeated. You may be worn out today, but you are not forgotten by God. You may be waiting for relief today, but God is still working in your behalf. Just keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep believing.
The same god who moved David from the desert to the throne room can move you from your present state of oppression into a place of freedom and peace. He can expand your Faith, build your heart back up again and restore your joy, opening a spacious place for you once again.