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Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below on the PODCAST LINK to today’s blog post:

PODCAST: “How to Handle Pressure” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio
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Have you noticed that pressure is increasing in your life? Are you finding it more and more difficult to handle the pressure as it bombards you from all sides? If so, take heart. There are certain things you can do to subdue the pressure, put it under your feet, and keep it there.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines pressure as “the weight or force that is produced when something presses or pushes against something else.” While pressure is most often used to indicate a physical force, it can be used as well to indicate a spiritual force. In this discussion, we will use pressure to mean those demonic forces from hell that daily threaten to discourage, depress, and destroy the members of the Body of Christ.

We read in the Book of Ephesians that “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”  Some translations use the word “wrestle” to indicate the type of spiritual battle in which we are engaged.

Wrestling involves hand-to-hand combat; indeed, body-to-body contact. In other words, it involves the whole person against the enemy.  The battle can often be vicious, and the fight sustained for long periods of time.

So, how do we handle this unrelenting pressure from the enemy? Our Lord has given us the weapons for not only engaging the enemy but also for conquering him. These weapons comprise the whole armor of God. Let’s take a look at each one.

1-The Belt of Truth. A Roman soldier’s belt held together the rest of his armor.  In like manner, truth will hold together the rest of our spiritual armor as we fight the enemy. We must put on truth and walk in it in all of our dealings with God and man. Deception is rampant in our world today. Lying has become second-nature to many people. But the Follower of Christ must dealy truly and truthfully in every situation.

2-The Breastplate of Righteousness. The breastplate protected the Roman soldier from attacks against his vital organs, including his heart. Righteousness means right-standing with God. As born-again believers, we are protected from the enemy by the righteousness of Christ which we received when we accepted Him as Savior.

3-The Shoes of Peace. A Roman soldier wore special shoes that protected his feet from dangerous terrain, enabling him to step freely wherever he needed to step and to stand firm while engaging in battle. The shoes of the gospel of peace enable us to tread safely and to stand firm in the worst of situations.

4-The Shield of Faith.
The Roman soldier used his shield to ward off the fiery darts of the enemy. So do we use our Shield of Faith to ward off Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, unbelief, fear, strife, and every other fiery dart.

5-The Helmet of Salvation.
Just as a helmet protected the Roman soldier from injury to his head, so does the Helmet of Salvation protect us from injury to our thinking. Our salvation enables us to abide in Christ, and abiding in Christ will eventually transform our way of thinking into God’s way of thinking.

6-The Sword of the Spirit.  While all of the other pieces of our armor are defensive, the Sword of the Spirit is used in taking the offense. As the enemy attacks us with his lies, we retaliate by piercing him with the truth of God’s Word.

So, there you have it!  Six pieces of armor that will enable you not only to resist the pressure that comes against you but also to subdue it. Now, take up your armor and win!

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Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below on the PODCAST LINK to today’s blog post:

PODCAST: “How to Handle Pressure” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio
______________________________________

Now, it’s YOUR turn: How has putting on the whole armor of God helped you to deal with pressure? Please leave your response in the Comment Box below. Thank you!

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