HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” (1 Peter 5:6).

The pressure of hard places makes us value life. Every time our life is given back to us from such a trial, it is like a new beginning, and we learn better how much it is worth, and make more of it for God and man.

The pressure helps us to understand the trials of others and fits us to help and sympathize with them. The pressures of trials in this life are to establish and strengthen us to take us to the level of perfection.

There is a shallow, superficial nature, that gets hold of a theory or a promise lightly, and talks very glibly about the distrust of those who shrink from every trial; but the man or woman who has suffered much never does this, but is very tender and gentle, and knows what suffering really means.

This is what Paul meant when he said, “Death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:12. Trials and hard places are needed to press us forward; even as the furnace fires in the hold of that mighty ship give the force that moves the piston, drives the engine, and propels that great vessel across the sea, in the face of the winds and waves. So, to the pressures we are faced with in this life helps to propels us to move on in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. The pressure of the winds in a storm upon the trees in the forest helps to strengthen the trees and to help then grow into the beauty we admire whenever we visit the forest. There is something that catches the eyes. Take that experience and add it to your life and watch the outcome. Therefore, brethren humble yourself in the fear of the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.