Dr. Althea’s Quote
“Pressure does not create your character; it reveals what has been developing within you. When life squeezes you, your character will eventually tell the truth.”
Proverbs 24:10 (KJV)
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”
There are things about ourselves that we may never discover until pressure arrives. It is easy to demonstrate patience when everything is working in our favor. It is easy to speak about faith when prayers are being answered quickly. It is easy to demonstrate kindness when people are treating us well. But when circumstances become difficult, plans suddenly change, relationships are tested, disappointment comes, or opposition increases, something deeper begins to surface.
Pressure reveals what comfort can conceal.
Pressure has a way of exposing the condition of our hearts. Our words begin to tell the truth. Our attitudes tell the truth. Our reactions tell the truth. Our decisions tell the truth. Even the way we treat people when we are frustrated, disappointed, or misunderstood tells the truth about what is developing within us.
This is why God is concerned about more than our gifts, titles, positions, accomplishments, and public appearances. God is developing our character.
A gift can open a door, but character determines how you behave once you enter it. Talent can attract attention, but character determines whether you can responsibly steward influence. Anointing may position you before people, but integrity determines who you are when nobody is watching.
Sometimes we ask God to enlarge our territory while He is strengthening our character so that we can carry what we are asking Him to give us.
PRESSURE CAN BECOME A MIRROR
Pressure is not always an indication that something is wrong. Sometimes pressure becomes a mirror that allows us to see ourselves more clearly.
Perhaps pressure reveals impatience you did not realize was controlling your responses. Perhaps disappointment exposes unforgiveness that has remained hidden beneath your smile. Perhaps opposition reveals insecurity, pride, fear, anger, or the need for approval.
When God allows you to recognize something within yourself that needs transformation, do not waste the revelation by blaming everyone around you.
Ask yourself, “Lord, what is this situation revealing about me?”
That question can transform adversity into an opportunity for spiritual development.
James 1:3–4 (KJV) declares:
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Some things can only be developed through testing. Patience must be practiced. Faith must be exercised. Self-control must be demonstrated. Forgiveness must be chosen. Integrity must survive opportunities to compromise.
God is not merely preparing you to arrive somewhere. He is preparing you to have the character necessary to remain there.
YOUR RESPONSE REVEALS YOUR DEVELOPMENT
Consider David. He was anointed to become king long before he actually occupied the throne. Between the anointing and the throne came pressure.
There was rejection. There was waiting. There was opposition. There were battles. There were moments when David had opportunities to retaliate against Saul, yet he understood that becoming king did not give him permission to abandon godly principles.
The wilderness was developing something the palace would eventually require.
Your difficult season may also be developing qualities your next assignment will demand.
God may be teaching you how to remain peaceful when circumstances become uncomfortable, how to remain faithful when recognition is absent, how to control your words when you have every opportunity to retaliate, and how to continue walking in integrity when compromise appears easier.
Your next level of responsibility will require more than your gift. It will require developed character.
DO NOT JUST ASK GOD TO REMOVE THE PRESSURE
Our first prayer during difficult circumstances is often, “Lord, get me out of this.”
Sometimes God does provide immediate deliverance. At other times, however, there is something He desires to develop while we walk through the situation.
Before asking only for escape, also pray for understanding.
“Father, show me what You are developing within me while I am walking through this.”
Romans 5:3–4 (KJV) declares:
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”
Do not allow pressure to make you become someone you will later regret. Allow it to reveal where you need God to continue His transforming work.
When pressure comes, guard your mouth. Guard your attitude. Guard your decisions. Guard your integrity. Guard how you treat people.
Because eventually, your character will tell the truth.
Prayer
Father, I thank You because I know You hear me. Let Your will be done.
Father, when pressure comes, help me respond from a place of spiritual maturity rather than emotional reaction. Search my heart and reveal anything within me that does not reflect Your character. Strengthen me where I am weak, correct me where I am wrong, and mature me where I still need development.
Teach me to recognize that some difficult seasons are opportunities for growth. Develop within me the character necessary to carry the calling, influence, responsibility, and assignments You have entrusted to me.
May my private character agree with my public confession, and may my response under pressure demonstrate that I am continually becoming more like Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dr. Althea’s Closing Quote
“When pressure comes, your character will tell the truth. Let the pressure reveal a person whose faith is deeper than the difficulty, whose integrity is stronger than the temptation, and whose character can sustain the place where God is taking them.”
