You will reap because you pressed!
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One day, I wasn’t feeling well but I had a ministry-related assignment I needed to complete. The aches and pains had kept me up throughout the night. So, in addition to being achy, I was extra tired. I settled it in my mind that I would stay in bed that day and take it easy. I’d get to the assignment later.
But then I clearly heard a voice telling me to “Get up” and “Press.” I knew it was the Lord.
Everything in my body was fighting against that command, but I did it anyway. I threw the covers back, rolled out of bed and prepared to face the day.
I got through it, too!
I didn’t feel great but I was very productive and I did everything I needed to do. I accomplished what I thought I couldn’t because I refused to succumb to the physical attack on my body.
Sometimes you have to press. It won’t be easy. You’ll want to quit. Troubles, struggles and difficulties will make you feel like pulling the covers over your head and refusing to get out of bed.
Yet, there are make-or-break moments when God will challenge you to be like the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48. Many of us have heard her story so much that we’ve almost become desensitized to the level of struggle, hardship, financial lack and rejection she dealt with at that time.
This woman was constantly bleeding for 12 years! This made her unclean according to the law in Leviticus 15:25-27. But she refused to just put her head under the covers, accept her position as an outcast, and give up on life.
She didn’t let the fact that she was bleeding both physically and financially stop her. The treatments took everything and gave her nothing in return. Broke and broken she still made her way to Jesus. Weary and worn she still pursued Him by pressing her way through the crowd.
Although we don’t know her name, we know all about her faith and how it secured her healing. When she touched the hymn of Jesus’ garment, according to Luke 8:44, whatever had been ongoing for more than a decade immediately stopped.
After she was healed, Jesus felt the power go out from Him and asked “Who touched me?”—a question His disciples thought was ridiculous since there were so many people around. They replied to the Savior in verse 45, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
This verse uses the Greek the word for press, apothlibo (pronounced ap-oth-lee'-bo). It is the same word to describe the process of pressing or crushing grapes and olives to get the juice or the oil out.
“This opposition is simply an opportunity for God to flex His power on your behalf. What looks like it will destroy you is about to work for you, and make you more blessed than ever! ”
The crowd was so massive and the people were packed so tightly together that the pressure was crushing. But she pressed through what crushed her to get her healing.
Are you willing to press forward despite crushing pain; crushing anxiety; crushing debt; crushing heartbreak; and crushing blows in life? If you want to receive all God has for you, you’ve got to be willing to be crushed, and press on anyway.
It is through pressing that the oil inside the olive is squeezed out. Spiritually speaking, it is through pressing that the oil of the anointing begins to flow in your life. If you want to be anointed, press through what crushes you. If you want God to get glory out of your life, press through what crushes you. If you want an awesome testimony of healing, breakthrough and deliverance, press through what crushes you.
Just as God rewarded the woman with the issue of blood for her press, He will reward you as well. Don’t quit on life. Don’t give up because you’re weary. Don’t stop because you’re tired. Don’t wave the white flag because you’re frustrated. Don’t retreat because you’re fearful. If you stay the course, God will reward you. He will bless you. He will heal you. You will receive your harvest.
To strengthen you along the way, I’m stirring Galatians 6:9 NLT into your cup of inspiration, which says, “So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, know this: if you hold on and press through this, there is a major blessing on the other side.
Whatever you’re believing God for today, no matter the level of opposition coming your way, keep pressing on. Press through pain. Press through sorrow. Press through worry. Press through lack. Press through sickness. Press through tears. Press through opposition.
Don’t you dare give up!
Now let’s pray.
God, life can be so challenging that, some days, I want to throw in the towel. It feels easier to just quit. But please help me not to give into my feelings, but rather, focus on my faith. I choose to believe that this will not crush me. It will not destroy me. As I press forward, You will cause this to work for me and be a blessing to me! I thank You for it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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