Consider it maximum joy, my brothers, when you get involved in all sorts of trials....In high school, I played on the championship football team. We were undefeated, so we always went out fully expecting to win. One day the coach told me, "Now Hankins," as he grabbed me by my shoulders pads, "you might be able to go around the tackle, but by the time you go around him, what you're looking for already went by." Then he said, "The only way you can play defense is to not avoid the pressure the tackle is putting on you. You can't go around him; if you do, you will miss what you're after. You've got the fight through the pressure."
(James 1:2 Berkeley)
The reason the devil is putting pressure on you is because God's got a blessing coming for you! So when pressure comes from every side, face it and get happy right in the middle of it! The devil is saying, "Hey, give up and just go around." You say, "No. I am not going around. I am going through this tackle!"
The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.... (Hab. 3:19)Joy Neutralizes Pressure
The Apostle Paul had the Jews, the Gentiles, and the Romans putting pressure on him. During one of the most difficult hours of his life, he began singing praises to God. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God... Acts 16:25
The devil can put pressure on you and get into a corner, but as long as he can't shut your mouth, you are able to overcome. Oral Roberts said, "Everyday there's a miracle coming to you or passing you by." That means if you allow pressure to push you out of your position, you'll miss your miracle.
When you start counting it all joy, it neutralizes the pressure. That is a challenge, but rejoicing is a choice you make that will strengthen you so that your faith and patience will hold you steady.
...Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.Faith Under Trial
(James 1:2-4 Living Bible)
I was watching a documentary on how they make pottery. Pottery is baked in extreme heat to make it durable and hard so it is usable. I thought it was interesting that they know a pot is done by the sound it makes. Many times trouble will hit you and get you into a serious oven situation. If you stay in the oven silent, then you are going to be in the oven a long time. But if you will just go ahead and shout for joy, you will make it through!
God is interested in your character, not just your immediate comfort. God wants you to hold steady and stop squirming out of your problems and difficulties prematurely. The natural human tendency is to try to find a way to get out from under the pressure. You have to realize that your faith is on trial and the devil is trying to knock that faith right out of you. Mix patience with your faith and it will take you through the pressure. Let God build character in you and make you strong enough to receive blessings that you may not have been able to receive before. If you will refuse to give up and allow your faith to be on trial, you cannot lose.
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects] lacking in nothing.God Is Restoring Your Joy
(James 1:2-4 - AMP)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
(1 Cor. 10:13)
At 75 years of age, Norman Vincent Peal, was asked when were the best ten years o his life. He replied, "I haven't lived them yet!" Shake off the dust of the past. God will restore the years that the devil tried to mess up in your life. Don't look back with regret. What the devil meant for evil, God is turning around for good. You have to rejoice because the new thing is going to have to come through you. God's going to do His part, but you have to do your part. God has some surprises that are exceeding abundantly above all you could ask or think according to the power that works in you. (Eph.3:20)
Summary Points:
When you start counting it all joy, it neutralizes the pressure. God is interested in your character and your whole person, not just your immediate comfort.
Source: Let The Good Times Roll: 5 Key Factors To Heaven On Earth by Mark Hankins
Excerpt permission granted by Mark Hankins Ministries