(by Dr. Larry Ollison)

As a Christian, there is a strength that flows from our inner man that can overpower any enemy that comes against us. The source of that power is the Holy Spirit and the power is activated by faith in the Father.

When I was a boy, I remember watching my mom cook with a pressure cooker. She would put it on the stove and heat it until a relief valve on the lid would open and relieve pressure. The world is a "pressure cooker." Pressures from bills, sickness, family, and life in general have pushed many to the edge. Sometimes it seems like we can't take the pressure, so we have to let off a little steam. Life should not be this way.

We were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). We are told in Ephesians 5:1 that we are to be imitators of God. No, we are not to be God, but we are to be like Him.

So, how is God? Is He stressed from bills? Is He worried about how He will get through the day? No, of course not.

Galatians 5:22-23 gives us a complete description of the nature of God and His personality. The nine characteristics of God are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Remember, the Bible calls this the fruit of the Spirit. As Christians, God expects us to walk in love and experience fullness of joy. He wants us to live a life of peace and to be in full control of the world around us. He has given us power and authority (2 Timothy 1:7; Luke 10:19). We don't need to beg God for relief. He has already given us the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Bible says that the Holy Spirit literally moves inside of our spirit and we become what Jesus called born again (Acts 2:38; John 3:3). By having this born-again experience, we are empowered with the source of the power, the Holy Spirit, who can guide us out of the pressure cooker of life and teach us to walk in the peace we have been given.

How do we activate the power and the authority we have been given? How can we move from the pressures of life to peace? What is the secret? What is the key? Countless self-help books have been written on this subject, but the answer is so simple that most people miss it.

Jesus told His disciples that when a mountain (kingdom) needs to be moved, that we must speak to it (Mark 11:23). In other words, we must exercise our authority over the enemy. We must confidently speak the Word, knowing who we are in Christ. Jesus said it this way: "Whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says."

However, Jesus qualifies this powerful statement in the previous verse. He said, "Have faith in God." (v.22). That means, we must believe what God says more than what we see. We must believe what His Word says more than what the world says.

The world says, "You can't make it and you will fail," but God's Word says:

*    No weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17)

*    Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)

*    You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13)

*    Because you believe, all things are possible (Mark 9:23)

*    My faith in Him has overcome the world (1 John 5:4)

So, when the pressures of life seem unbearable, have faith in God. He loves you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you. He raised Him from the dead so you could have eternal life with Him. He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). If it seems like God is not with you, remember this. God is not the One who moved.

Repent, submit, and obey. Have faith in God and prepare for your victory.