Standing Under Pressure

My Quiet Place

Standing Under Pressure

One of the wisest and godliness man I know once said that "It is not the size of the matter but the principle behind it". It's the little choices we make that hurt us the most. The little compromises, the little lies we buy into, and the little slips turn into huge falls. The little things we fail in set us on a course of neglect which come with big consequences. 

When dealing with the pressure of sin, we must realize that our standards are made of personal convictions. Every choice we make, big or small, reflects our values. There is a principle behind every action and the principle says more than the action does. The more mature we grow as Christians, the more convictions we develop. The more we learn about God, the more aware we are to sin. Someone with a lot of convictions can be perceived as a snobby, judgmental, know it all. But if someone truly wants to become more like Christ, what they will and will not do directly reflects that. Convictions in their purest form are from the Lord! 

It is not enough just to have convictions though. We must act on them. As the saying goes, "The way to hell is paved with good intentions". We all know people who say they will never do _____. But when the pressure is on them, they give in with the snap of a finger. That is why it is important that we practice our convictions in the smaller things that way when all eyes our watching, when our reputation is at risks, when our lives as we know them are on the line, we will choose to stand for God's way. 

Daniel is the perfect example of a man who said no to sin even in the smallest of matters. He had personal convictions and he acted on them even when it was hard. Daniel chose not to "defile himself" (Dan. 1:8) by eating the impure foods of the king. Daniel did not even slip into a diet that was directly against the Lord's commands. This was not the most pleasurable choice. After standing up for God, Daniel ate only fruits and vegetables for years. It was also not the easiest. Daniel risked obtaining the good opinion of the king. But, by God's grace, "God gave Daniel favor and compassion" (Dan 1:9). 

Later in the book of Daniel, Daniel is faced with yet another tough decision. This one; however was a lot bigger. Because Daniel had previously said no to the things against God, he was more prepared to stand up for God when it cost him more. A law was passed prohibiting the people for petitioning any god or man except the king in the next thirty days, they will be cast into the lions' den. Now Daniel had already been praying the the One True God three times a day. Daniel could have made some adjustments to his prayer life. He could have prayed with his eyes open as he went throughout his day. No one would have known the difference. He could have prayed hidden in a closet where no one could see or hear him. But Daniel knew that the principle behind the matter was far more important. He chose to continue on with his habits of prayer as if nothing had changed. He purposely prayed in his house with the windows open toward Jerusalem. He took the opportunity to stand up before God. It wasn't pleasurable. It wasn't easy. It was hard, but it was right. 

Proof of conviction requires action and commitment. Once you have made the choice to stand up for what's right in God's eyes, stick with it. Do not back down. Keep it up. Stay with it even if it limits your happiness.. What you choose today determines who you will become tomorrow. Stop making excuses. Live for God today. God blesses those who make a stand for Him. His blessings may not be immediate and they may not be what the world's version of a blessing. He may not always choose to deliver you from the lion's den. But His name will always be made known and that is the purpose of our existence. But no matter what, with a heavenly perspective, choosing God's way is always worth it because God's glory is always worth it. 

The Girl Next Door