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The Pressure Cooker

Posted by Dion Todd April 26th, 2024 1,746 Views 22 Comments

For we don't desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia: that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life. Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver, on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us 2 Corinthians 1:8–10 WEB.

When we have a tough piece of meat that we are trying to cook, we break out a pressure cooker that we have, and soon it will become so tender that it just falls apart. The pressure cooker is an excellent device for speeding up long cooking tasks. Something that would take three hours to cook can be cooked in the pressure cooker in about thirty minutes.

When the Lord decided to put me in the ministry, He brought the pressure of closing our existing business. When I tried to keep it open, He turned up the pressure until I had no choice except to do what He wanted or starve and be homeless.

You would think He could have just asked me, but instead, our business dried up, which brought tremendous financial pressure on us. Then at the last minute, the week that we prepared to move out of our home, He opened up a door in ministry, and here we are. Now I know without a shadow of a doubt that He put me here and is with us. This was His idea, and I don't have to wonder if I forced my way into the ministry. He pushed me.

We spent some quality time in God's pressure cooker. It put us where He wanted us to be and changed us in the process. We learned a lot during that season. Serving God with all your heart, giving all you have, praying on your face in tears, praising, worshiping, and fasting doesn't rescue you from hardship or pressure. Sometimes you are meant to endure the situation and have something squeezed out of you. In the end, it will work out better.

Paul wrote there were times when they were under so much pressure, so far beyond their control, that he thought they would die. Then he noted that it was so that they would trust in God and not in themselves. This was the way that the Apostles lived. They depended on God to take care of them.

That's scary for those who want to be in control but still serve God, for there will come a time when He will break you and teach you to trust Him instead. When your world begins to crumble because you are no longer in control of the situation, guess who your God was: You. I still remember the day that I had to start trusting Him, and it was because I was powerless against what was happening, much like Paul.

There is good news: It doesn't last forever. Pressure cooking is intense, but it is the fast track. Who you become when under pressure is just who you really are. God already knows, but He wants you to know, and He allows pressure to steer us in the right direction.

He knows just how much we need, for how long, and something that could take years, may only take weeks. So don't panic and give up when you are under pressure. You are not the first. You will come out of this better when you are done, and you will have a testimony to share with others who may go through the same thing.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You work Your perfect will in my life. Please put me where I need to be, and surround me with those that need to be there. Give me hope, Lord, and help me remain stable under pressure. I have put my trust in God. What can man do to me? In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: The FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) hosts "Feel Good Friday" at RHM each week! All are welcome to share a moment, thought or prayer to lift the spirits of the fellowship! Feel Good Friday takes place on the home page at RHM! As always, If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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Post from Sherry Mccosh

Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Heavenly Father, I pray that You work Your perfect will in my life. Please put me where I need to be, and surround me with those that need to be there. Give me hope, Lord, and help me remain stable under pressure. I have put my trust in God. What can man do to me? In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Thank you so much Pastor Dion for all that you do and for writing these devotions for us everyday. They are always amazing and give us so much hope and strenghtens are faith and hope!! God bless you and Sylvia!!!




Post from Richard Ressel

Richard Ressel commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Another great truth! But will we have faith to endure the pressure cooker? Our hope lies in the truth that His outcome will be better than before we entered the pressure cooker.



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Comment from Sylvia Todd

7 months ago

Amen, brother 🙏!



Post from Michael Hobbs

Michael Hobbs commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Thanks for this devotion today. I needed it. You know when the devil gets you down in a ditch, he doesn’t wanna let you out. And when you start trying to fight to get out, he comes at you with everything to try to keep you in the ditch. Lately I’ve been work through getting me in the family out of some financial stuff and the wife has a lot of health issues that we’re working through and now he’s coming at me with my health issues. He’s trying to keep me in the ditch. Because I am call to the ministry. What he doesn’t realize or at least not willing to accept is that I won this battle 2000 years ago. Please keep me in my family in your prayers. Thanks, and God bless.



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Comment from Lynn Brown

7 months ago

Prayers for healing, strength and provision for your family, Michael. In the name of Jesus, Amen.


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Comment from Sylvia Todd

7 months ago

Lord, I lift up Michael and his wife to ou and pray that you please bless them with grace, with healing, with wisdom, with provision, and with Your presence, in the name of Jesus, amen 🙏!



Post from Wesley Paulus

Wesley Paulus commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen!




Post from Greg Moore

Greg Moore commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


This is a really good one, needed to hear this today!




Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle

7 months ago


AMEN!!! Please work Your perfect will in me and my life, Lord, put me where Your want me to be, be my strength and shield especially when I'm under pressure, knowing that the pressure will increase for all of us that believe in You, also knowing that as we trust in You, You will renew our strength, also, knowing that You'll make a way when there's no other way, in the name of Jesus, AMEN!!! Thank you Lord!!!




Post from Scott Riegelmann

7 months ago


Amen




Post from David Krull

David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen Lord. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!




Post from Celeste Strenn

Celeste Strenn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen❣️when all is said and done, at the end of it all, if everything and everyone is taken away, I now know I can sit in the ashes and say “even if he slay me , yet I shall praise Him, and right there is the end of my anxiety attacks, I just sit tight in the shadow of His wings , in the secret place of the most High and hold on for dear life❣️ it’s actually a really nice place to live🤗




Post from Cathy Webb

Cathy Webb commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Appreciate your personal testimony, Pastor Dion. Lord, help me remain steadfast under these pressures. Amen




Post from Dawn Petchonka

7 months ago


Amen!




Post from Debi Burton

Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Heavenly Father, I pray that You work Your perfect will in my life. Please put me where I need to be, and surround me with those that need to be there. Give me hope, Lord, and help me remain stable under pressure. I have put my trust in God. What can man do to me? In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️




Post from Wanda Pennington

7 months ago


I Put my trust in God, for what can man do to me, in the name of Jesus I ask and pray, Amen




Post from Audry Reddy

Audry Reddy commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen! This is perfect timing for me!!




Post from Candy Laventure

7 months ago


Amen! 🙏




Post from Marisa Jackson

Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen 🙏!! Amen 🙏!!




Post from Brenda F

Brenda F commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen!




Post from Dana Rozell

Dana Rozell commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen!




Post from Kay Collinsworth

7 months ago


Amen




Post from Jeffrey Green

Jeffrey Green commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen Father




Post from Schalk de Beer

Schalk de Beer commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Pressure Cooker

7 months ago


Amen Lord.






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