How we respond to pressure shows us what condition we are in spiritually. Learn the 3 ways pressure tests us, and 3 ways to stay out of stress.

Scripture Passages: Mat. 6:25; Deut. 8:17; 2 Cor. 1:8

Is the pressure in your life turning into stress? Cause there is a difference between the two. One is used by God to get you to move and the other is used by the enemy to destroy you. When we are under pressure, we are able to give beyond our ability. When we are under stress, we are paralyzed. If we don't pay attention to whom we are serving, we will end up serving the wrong thing- usually yourself or someone else. Scripture Passages: 2 Cor. 8; Mark 6:31-32; 2 Peter 1:3; Acts 5:29; Phil.1:6; 2 Thes.1:11; Mat. 6:25

Your first source of authority and love comes from your parents/whomever raised you- and if you grew up in a dysfunctional house (which many of us have) your understanding of love and authority will be skewed. Living in that kind of atmosphere causes you to develop misperceptions of what true love and authority really is. And when the time comes for you to build a relationship with God - you in turn unknowingly place those preconceived notions onto God too. You probably will either see Him as tender/loving or an unyielding judge. Neither are correct however. If we only see Him as tender & loving without justice and truth- we're in trouble. And likewise, if only as justice & truth without loving compassion- that's incomplete as well. It's more a combination of both. So we must RE-LEARN who God is and our true identity in Him (as a people loved unconditionally by Him). Only then can we begin to build a foundation of relating to others in the way Jesus modeled for us.Scripture Passages: Prov. 3:11-12; John 1:14; Song of Songs 2:4; Eph. 6:12; 1 John 1:6-7; Josh. 24:15; Mat. 22:39; John 2:24; Eph. 4:15, 22-24