"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) "A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth." (Isaiah 42:3)
Dearly Beloved,
Oftentimes the Lord allows something or someone to press on His people, individually or collectively. He does this to cause growth, so that Jesus is revealed to be in them. The fact is that spiritual growth is impossible without being pressed. Accept that from the start.
Look at the world and its people. All humanity lives in the default of denial, unable to see and respond to the truth of their need, the grace of God in Christ, and their impending death and judgment. We were all born spiritually dead. If God presses that out of us, we are of all men, blessed. After all, "If only in this life we are having hope in Christ, we are more to be pitied than all men" (1 Corinthians 15:19).
Be honest about suffering when you are pressed down. Be realistic about how that will affect you and how difficult it is to pass through it. But also be thankful that God will not allow your soul to be crushed when you are pressed by Him. Learn to embrace the pain of 'pressing', as the good that God is always bringing to you in Christ, not as 'bad things' that happen to you. "...We are not yet what we shall be (1 John 3:2)". In Christ, there are no ultimately 'bad things' happening, only unpleasant things that press down the old nature and develop the new. Love Mom
