What do you do when you don't know what to do? I'm talking about when the heat's turned up real high, you know, when the pressures on. Let me give you an example so you can get the full impact of what I'm saying. You believe you've been following the path that the Lord has directed for you. Everything has been going along pretty well, then all of a sudden - WHAM! You find yourself up against the "Red Sea," a seemingly impassible barrier. And as if that's not traumatic enough, all of a sudden - "What's that I see? Why it looks like the dust of the whole Egyptian army coming out to finish me off!!!" No where to go, and no where to hide. What do you do when you don't know what to do!!!

Most people would answer that question very simply, you just PANIC!!! Yes, that's the natural thing to do, and the very thing the enemy is hoping will happen. At times like these, and we all face them, we find out just how well we have learned the lessons of faith.

Have you ever noticed how many times, especially in the New Testament, the phrase "fear not" is spoken by Jesus or an angel? You could translate that into DON'T PANIC!!! We need to realize that fear is a motivator, just as faith is, and it is a very strong force. During these crucial times, fear is used against us so as to "motivate" us into making a hasty decision that will end up costing us dearly in the long run. It may even look like a "wise" move from a natural standpoint, but is not God's best nor is it His leading. It is an act of the soulish realm that is not led by the Spirit of God.

The first thing we need to do in a situation such as this, is to first take a deep breath and realize that God is in control and that He has a plan for your life. He is still with you, and you are His child. Philippians 1:6 states, "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Notice that it says to be confident of this very thing! Hallelujah, God's got a plan and He is going to carry it out, perform it, and bring it to pass in your behalf!

The next thing that we need to do is get our eyes off of the serpent-stance (circumstance), and back on to the One who is in control. Hebrews 12:2 says it this way, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Notice he is the originator, and He is the finisher. Keep in mind that we belong to Him. He has set His plan for you into motion, and it is His responsibility to bring it to pass. All we have to do is follow His lead. Let me ask you something - has the Lord started a good work in you? Then you can rest assured that He will finish that which He has started. He doesn't quit, and He's not about to be out done by some low level devil!!!

The next step is to wait on God. That's right, don't move or make a decision until you have clear cut leading from the Lord. This is the time that you allow the force of patience to take effect. Hebrews 6:12 admonishes us, "... but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Faith is trusting in God's plan, and patience is allowing that plan to manifest in His time frame. Patience is the weapon that forces deception to reveal itself. But how do I know if what I am hearing or sensing is the leading of the Lord? A good key for discernment is to wait on what you believe you have received. Over a period of time if it increases it is generally of God, if it decreases with time, then it was your flesh or the enemy. This rule is true, I live by it, and it has proven well.

Real faith is knowing what God says is true, and it is expecting and rejoicing before hand as if it were done already - because it is! Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Notice it says when you pray believe that you receive them, not after you see it! When we begin to understand that God has a plan for us, and it is already established, and that He desires for you to walk in it, then we can cast off fear and count every test and trial as "joy" when they come our way - James 1:2-4. Because we know that God's purpose and plans for us WILL come to pass, and by knowing this we can cast off PPPP - Pressure!

Dan Downey
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Dan Downey 2000