Power over Pressure
By: Apostle Skhumbuzo Sangweni
I can do all things through [c]Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
Our lives often come under the pressure of circumstances, from demanding client, or a tough boss or sudden unforeseen circumstance and/or misunderstanding between you and your spouse, it is these pressures that reveal who we are and what we understand concerning what God has made available to us.
In his epistle to the Philippians the Apostle Paul, describes Christ’s strength as the explosive power that he possesses for victory over every difficulty. That statement was however preceded by his acknowledgement of their financial help towards his ministry “My heart overflows with joy when I think of how you showed your love to me by your financial support of my ministry.” (Phil 4:10 TPT). He was praising them for their generosity that brought relief to his ministry’s financial pressure. Whilst commending them on this care showed towards his life, he further reveals a spiritual consciousness by which he leads his life by saying to them “I’m not telling you this because I’m in need, for I have learned to be satisfied in any circumstance” (Phil 4:11). This mean in the midst of needs and difficult circumstances we have to learn contentment, this is in itself spiritual power that builds conviction in our hearts to the point where we are not disturbed or uneasy regardless of circumstance, knowing that the presence of difficulties is not the absent of Christ’s power nor the presence of abundance the evidence of God’s approval. When the presence or absence of the Lord is determined by circumstances that can establish an unhealthy spiritual imbalance that leads to deception. Contentment doesn’t not mean the acceptance of the circumstance however it means a full awareness of Christ’s explosive power to sustain me in the midst of any situation, leading me to the victory found in His life. We are not content about the situation rather we are content in Christ’s power, that exists above and beyond any human circumstance. “Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence.” (2 Cor 3:5 TPT)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I surrender all the difficult circumstances of my life to you, and I ask you to help me live with the awareness of the power of Christ that is working in me to make me an overcomer, Lord grant me the grace for contentment in all things. Teach me how to pull on heaven’s resources available for me. In Jesus name. Amen
Confession: I confess I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I have all the power necessary to overcome and subdue life’s pressures, I’m exalted above needs, I have the living understanding of God’s word for success daily. I’m clothed in authority, I’m sustained by the Lord Jesus Christ in lack and in abundance. I’m a victorious
