Straight Thinking 091067 Under Pressure

Straight Thinking

091067

UNDER PRESSURE

Sunday. OBEY GOD. Have you ever consoled yourself with the thought, “God knows how I feel about him; he understands that I can’t be perfect”? Actually, God is not satisfied with how we feel about him if we do not believe strongly enough to act in accordance with our faith. Yes, we will not achieve perfection, but we are obligated to try. Christianity is a religion to be lived, not a philosophy to be believed. (Read James 2:14-26.)

Monday. WITHSTAND OPPOSITION. Many of our acquaintances do not operate by Christian principles; perhaps they may even try to turn us from Christ. We face their challenge with a firm stand for the right. Resistance may egg them on; but maintaining a calm, unyielding confidence will warn them to measure their words. Satan’s followers concentrate on the keenest opposition. Our Christianity must conquer! (Read 2 Corinthians 11:21-28.)

Tuesday. CONVINCE OTHERS. Confidence is convincing. If we stand unashamed against the taunts of others, we offer a favorable impression of our religion. Everyone remembers our strong witness because it focuses attention directly on us; they are waiting to see how we will react. That memory may eventually have influence on non-Christians who silently respect us for sticking to what we believe. (Read Acts 26:24-31.)

Wednesday. ENCOURAGE CHRISTIANS. Confidence is catching. Accept the responsibility of helping weaker Christians hold up under pressure. Followers don’t follow where leaders don’t lead. Christians know what it is to be “put on the spot”; they can use someone to stick up for them. Do not let them slip into error. (Read Galatians 6:1-10.)

Thursday. JUSTIFY ASSOCIATES. Our response to temptation in school, recreation, or entertainment indicates something about Christian teachers and parents who have shown an interest in our welfare. Others judge our companions by the way we conduct ourselves. Our example speaks well of family and friends, and the congregation where we worship and serve. (Read Hebrews 13:7.)

Friday. GROW IN FAITH. Christians are always under pressure; it is not a matter of whether but of how much. By overcoming minor temptations, we can witness more effectively for Christ when major trials press upon us. Anticipate temptation and calculate ways of meeting it; try not to be caught in an unguarded moment. (Read Ephesians 6:10-17.)

Saturday. PROTECT YOUR REPUTATION. Though regretted, past sins may be hard to live down. The lure of the moment is not worth the heartache of a lifetime. Fifty years is a long time to live in the shadow of failure to withstand the pressure of temptation. (Read Hebrews 12:24-26.)

Virgil Warren, Straight, September 10, 1967, p13                                                                           christir.org