How to Handle Pressure

By Kenneth W. Hagin

In today’s uncertain world, many of us are under a lot of pressure. And the way we react to that pressure determines whether we will succeed or fail. What do you do when you’re under pressure? Do you simply fold up? The moment you experience a little adversity, do you come apart at the seams?

I’ve noticed that some of us in the Church can’t handle pressure or adversity in our walk with the Lord. As long as everything is going fine and the devil isn’t exerting too much pressure on us, we’re okay. But the minute we encounter problems or things don’t fall into place, we go to pieces.

First Peter 5:7 instructs us as Christians to cast all of our cares on the Lord. I know this is not always easy to do. But when the pressure is on, it’s the only way we can walk above the circumstances and not be buried by them.

The next time you are under pressure and you are tempted to cave in, here are some things you can do. If you follow these four simple steps, you will be able to overcome pressure instead of pressure overcoming you.

Number One:
Keep your focus on God.

ISAIAH 26:3
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

When they encounter a crisis, many people fail to keep their minds stayed on the Lord. They focus on the negative and only see what is going wrong. Instead of believing their situation can have a positive outcome, they begin to doubt that they will ever recover.

Focusing on the problem won’t do you any good. In fact, the more you think about the problem instead of the Problem Solver, the weaker your faith becomes.

To rise above pressure, you have to think on the right things. You must replace negative thoughts with good, positive thoughts. Doubt has to be replaced with faith.

The Apostle Paul told the Philippians to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). What was in the mind of Christ? All things are possible if you can believe (Mark 9:23). Whatever is impossible with man is possible with God (Matt. 19:26). The mind of Christ knows the Heavenly Father has already taken care of the pressure you are experiencing.

Problems become small or great depending on the way we think about them. You probably know someone who faced a small challenge, and they obsessed about the problem until it became a huge mountain to them.

This is exactly what the devil wants. He wants to keep us looking at the problem instead of looking at God and His Word. If he can do this, then he has won. We see an example of this in the Book of Matthew when Peter walked on water.

On Jesus’ single command of “come,” Peter jumped out of a boat during a violent storm and walked on a choppy sea. He continued walking on the water as long as he maintained an unwavering gaze on Christ. But when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at how strong the wind was, he began to sink. (See Matt. 14:25–32.)

Your success in the midst of the storms is determined by how well you can control your thought life. And no one can control your thoughts but you. You determine what you think about and how you react to any given situation.

In his letter to the Church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul shows you how to reign in your thoughts.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Thinking about things that meet all of these qualifications will give you victory in your thought life. And God has given us plenty of things in His Word that meet all of these conditions. Focusing on those things instead of on negative circumstances will help you overcome the pressures of life.

Number Two:
Focus on your potential in God.

One year a young rookie football player was a top NFL draft pick. The football team that chose him didn’t pick him because of his height or weight. They didn’t choose him because of his accomplishments in college. They chose him because of the potential he possessed to become a great athlete.

You probably don’t realize the potential you have in God. Although you can’t accomplish some things in your own strength, you can accomplish anything in God’s strength. Instead of focusing on weaknesses, focus on the potential you have in God. Joel 3:10 says, “. . . let the weak say, I am strong.” No matter what is surrounding you, “I am strong” needs to be your daily confession.

You’ve got to believe in yourself “in God.” The “in God” part is what is important. That’s the part that will see you through any adversity.

People often ask, “How is God going to turn this situation around?” I don’t know, but God does! Instead of focusing on “how,” focus on the Author and Finisher of your faith (see Heb. 12:2). He is the One Who can give you the ability to triumph over your circumstances.

Number Three:
Focus on what God is saying.

ISAIAH 55:3
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live . . .

Have you ever been talking to someone and you realized he was not hearing a word you were saying? Although he was right in front of you, his mind was someplace else.

God is talking all the time. Are we listening when He is speaking?

The main way God speaks to His children is through His Word. However, when under a great deal of pressure, do you run to the Word to find strength and peace? Or are you focused on the problem? The Word of God contains the answers you desperately need. And it’s through prayer and meditating on the Word that God will show you what steps to take to see you through adversity.

Number Four:
Talk about God.

Up until this point in the process of overcoming the pressures of life, you have kept your mouth shut. Now it’s time to speak.

PSALM 105:2
2 . . . talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Throughout the Book of Psalms, the various writers talked about the bigness of God. They extolled His greatness. They praised His goodness. They set an example for you and me.

Anytime you are under pressure, begin to talk about Who God is and how big He is. Then put the devil in his place and remind him that God is bigger than anything he tries to bring about.

You may not “feel” like talking about God when under a lot of pressure. But especially in times of adversity, you need to talk about the goodness and bigness of God. As you do, you will be revived and released from the pressure.

It doesn’t matter how bleak your future looks; God is bigger. It doesn’t matter what anybody says; God is able to bring you through. As you follow these steps, you will feel the pressure lift. You’ll be able to look at circumstances with an assurance that God will see you through.

God's Word Is His Plan

Under the Old Covenant, God sent an angel or a prophet to relay His plan to His people. Under the New Covenant, we don’t need angels or prophets to
tell us God’s plan.

We have God’s written Word to instruct us and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to guide us. And as we follow God’s plan for our lives, we will walk in victory. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ . . .” (2 Cor. 2:14).

Victory comes when we follow God’s plan completely. We must rely on God to perform the supernatural in our lives. We’re not responsible for bringing the supernatural to pass. We’re only responsible for obeying God’s plan so He can bring it to pass!