Proverbs 24:10 - Pressure Prepared

Proverbs 24:10

NKJV

If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.

 

NLT

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.

 

A little clarity on the verse is in order, I think. Failing under pressure, or a day of adversity, does not make your strength small; it reveals your strength to be small. This strength that this verse is talking about is not physical strength. I believe it is talking about our faith. If our walk with our Lord is weak, so will our performance when under pressure.  Quite honestly, sometimes this pressure we put on ourselves comes from an event in life when you know you have to step up and be who God called you to be. Things like sickness, divorce, death, and life will put pressure on us.

 Whether it is put upon us by the world, or we put it upon ourselves. What are we going to do to be ready when the pressure comes? Charles Bridges wrote, ““Commit yourself daily to him, for his supply of grace is sufficient for you. So go forward, weak and strong at the same time—weak in order to be strong, strong in your weakness.” It means that we are to count it all joy when we meet trials of various kind (James 1:2); when our faith is tested it produces steadfastness (James 1:3); and that we will be made mature and complete…lacking in nothing (James 1:4). The apostle Peter also wrote to persecuted Hebrew Christians about the value of adversity. He said trials prove the genuineness of one's faith (1 Peter 1:3–9). Believers under pressure of adversity are encouraged to steel themselves and trust in Christ's power (Hebrews 12:12–13), rather than fall.

Not all pressure is a bad thing, remember James 1:2-4. I was reminded of this recently when I held 7 pounds 10 ounces of pressure. I remember what I felt as a new father; all the fears and anxiety that go along with being the protector and spiritual leader of my family. It’s a growth process, it gets easier as a father…because of the Father. It’s the same with those of us that aren’t experiencing new fatherhood. 

Walk faithfully today! This is how you build the strength needed for when the pressure comes.  Be prepared cause it’s coming. Pray, study and seek what God wants and not what you want.

 

Pressure prepared,

cej