Squeezed

We've probably all heard, "When a teapot is up to its neck in hot water, it still sings." That was a popular quote from the 1920's during the Great Depression. But today, too often, when things get 'hot', our singing is crying, wailing and complaining. Are you the kind of person when dealing with adverse circumstances, the first thing you do is post it on Facebook? Or maybe you send out group texts, if somehow 'sharing' our suffering will bring about comfort. There are multiple ways to react when feeling squeezed. What do you do?

How we respond to hard times, reveals what's really within us.  Truth be known, if  we squeeze an orange and grape juice flows out, we'd think it peculiar. We should also think it unnatural when anything but Christ comes out when we're squeezed, as a Christian! However, some people get angry, cuss, go drinking, hide in their bedroom, and the like when in a 'press'.

James 1:2 Amp  says, "Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations." Instead of having an emotional reaction, we should deliberately, appraise the situation from God's perspective! Face it, this didn't take God by surprise. He has made every provision for every type of problem. And even given us a way of escape. (1 Cor.10:13)

What comes out of something, when it's squeezed, depends on what's been put inside. For instance, compress a tube of toothpaste, toothpaste will come out. Likewise, when we are under the press, what we put in, is what's going to come out. If we've spent more time watching movies, playing wild and crazy music, hanging with friends of the world, then Christ isn't going to be coming out!  In order to express the Word of God, we've got to spend time IN the Word, renewing our mind. (Rom. 12:2)

As a believer, we are the spout, where His glory comes out! Spending time in the glory, fills our pot, which allows us to pour it out. 2 Cor. 4:6-7 Amp " For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves."

So that when we are "hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted", or even "struck down" we can know our inward man is being renewed! And these momentary afflictions are preparing, producing, and achieving an ever lasting glory and blessings. (2 Cor. 4)  That way we can give glory, honor and praise to our God because we know that in these things, they WILL work out for our greater good. (Rom. 8:28)

If you're being squeezed by circumstances, we encourage you to read the Word, pray the Word, and fill up on the Word of God. Then begin to praise Him, thank Him and glorify Him for answering your prayers. Remember, John 15:7 "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, You will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you."

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