EFFECTIVELY MANAGING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PRESSURES

Every human will, at some point in their life, experience the crooked word 'pressure'. It is a word that takes one on an adventure into the wilderness. Sometimes, alone. (Now, if you have a partner or people who travel its rough paths with you, you would likely come out stronger and more shredded for the rest of your journey).

It gets compounded when that word is rendered in the plural: 'pressures'. No one is immune to its surging barge or sudden jerk. That kind of jerk that ushers one into the land of a rude awakening. The most refined of humanity have their share dividends, just as do those of the most ignoble birth!

Apostle Paul had this to say: "For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears" | 2 Corinthians 7:5. (Notice the pluralization of the word: 'fear'). Someone defined FEAR as False Evidence Appearing Real! I wouldn't think to disagree with that brilliant definition. Therefore, we understand very clearly what brings on pressures: FEAR!

In that scripture above, we understand that outward pressures and inward pressures are both dangerous to the operations of faith in the Christian's life. And they cannot be ignored. The threats of the colossal damage they can do are real. Take, for example, if you heard some unpleasant news, what that does to your emotions. I was 14 in 1982 and growing in the prophetic when we lost our elder sister Joan. She was 22. Her death rocked the bedrock of my faith-walk belief that God heals. Instead of her being physically healed - when the Spirit of God had informed me, "she is healed"- my beloved Joan had died on the same day the Lord had spoken to me. It would take me three years to reconcile my rebellion that had ensued against God with the truth that my sister had indeed been spiritually cleansed, healed, and welcomed into the arms of the Lord Whom she had finally agreed to accept as her Savior and Lord in her dying moments, according to our parents' eyewitness account. Emotional pain was caused by her physical absence - an absence that would create a void that would never be filled! That was the beginning of my understanding of fears without and fears within; and not only these, but also the very presence of Jesus Christ in the pain and the healing journey.

Today, I travel the world, and do minister to people in pain. All kinds of pain. Pains caused by accident, bereavement, loss of a dear one, or the loss of job security. The ministry we perform to each sufferer is immensely different!

UNDERSTANDING PRESSURE FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT

When Jezebel had seriously threatened to behead Prophet Elijah, in 1 Kings 19, that had been an outward pressure applied toward Elijah. It was exerted via speech. Outward pressure originates from outside of the body. But it had serious detrimental effects on the inside. It caused him fear. Fear to "flee for his life", as the Bible says | verse 3.

So any threat, or a threatening speech, can cause a disequilibrium in anyone's life, just as a libel or a false allegation. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor" was one of the Ten Commandments. Anyone who does that is worthy of death under the law of Moses. In today's law, they should be sued and be made to pay the damages their deliberate recklessness has caused! That is in my humble opinion!

Task 1:

Name five origins of outside pressure that have caused you fear in the past, and the effects of such on you:

1. _____________________________

2. _____________________________

3. _____________________________

4. _____________________________

5. _____________________________

Some of the resultant effects of pressure from within include fears: panic, panic attacks, trauma, anxiety, trigger points, and all phobias, just to mention a few. 'Phobia' means an extreme, outrageous, irrational fear of something. You have heard of claustrophobia, the irrational fear of being enclosed in a small or confined space. A lot of ex-prisoners suffer from this emotional and psychological disrepair. Whether it is fear from within or without, it exerts pressure on the mental, emotional, and psychological composition and well-being of humans.

Do not forget also the damage to internal organs caused by the exertion of pressure on the blood vessels, the heart, arteries, and all other components in the hood of our stomachs! The heart, bile, spleen, liver, and the blood vessels can be damaged due to pressure from within. Internal bleeding is a quick killer. So are hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart defects. Strokes, misfiring of the motor neurons of the brain cells, and intracranial hemorrhage, etc., are part of the reasons we must not open ourselves to unnecessary pressures both within and outside our system.

Task 2:

Name five more possible end-results of internal pressures that I have not mentioned in this blog. Research what caused them and how they can be prevented!

THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELIJAH'S DEPRESSION

Here's the summary of what the Prophet of God had allowed to simmer over both his psychological and spiritual being:

1. Fear of death caused him to panic and run to self-reserve | vs. 3

2. He was thoroughly emotionally and psychologically depleted: He sat down in abject deflation - and declared: "I've had enough, GOD. I've had it to the brim. I'd prefer death: My life isn't better than my forefathers!" | vs. 4

3. Exhaustion took over his entire being, and he fell asleep. I surmise he didn't want to wake up from that sleep ... That's one sure indication of the onset of prolonged depression, which could result in clinical depression if urgent care is neglected vs. 5

4. Elijah was hungry, yet he kept sleeping ignoring his most basic needs for survival. This is another undeniable sign of depression: self-neglect vs. 5-6

5. He then laid down to observe more sleeping hours owing to mental fatigue and physical exhaustion: the angel of God had arrived the second time to both wake him up to a meal-in-bed treatment vs. 6

6. He resorted to a cave to lodge there | vs. 9 (Sounds like when men/husbands want to run into their man-cave in the house, we, I think, should let them. (Same applies to women/wives, I guess).

GOD'S TREATMENT OF ELIJAH'S DEPRESSION IN A NUTSHELL

God's treatment of His servant's illness was not to mock, laugh at, or denigrate him. He is the God of all flesh - and father of spirits.

Father God knew that just shortly after every great victory lies the fowler's net.

Therefore, God prescribed rest, followed by food. Here in England, the psychiatrists would prescribe a holiday in the sun to those who could afford it. Or ask you to get outside of the confining walls of living space into nature: Take a fresh breath walking in the fields. Go fishing. Go visit the lakes. Go talk to the animals. Go watch the sunrise and sunset. Go camping if that's your thing. Just go out to do nothing ... and eat!

How about you too, practising any of these suggestions above?

Secondly, God brought his weary servant His Word. Through the Word, God both counseled and confronted him with the need to finish his mission - to speak over and anoint strategic successors. That was part of God's perfect line of duty for the prophet. When therefore you minister to anyone experiencing battles with depression, do not forget to remind them of the purposes of God for their lives, as must be accomplished by them!

I hope this message blesses you. Let me hear from you.

___________________

Blog, written by Dr. Sammy Joseph. If you've any inquiries about what you have read or would love to write for us, contact us today at 'pulsepublishinghouse@harvestways.org'

(Picture credit: Pulse Publishing House, SJM: Copyright, Sammy Joseph Ministries)

Our reading suggestion for fall 2026 is 'You're Not a Mismatch'.

Visit our PULSE Publishing House store at the secure link: https://www.harvestways.org/product-page/not-a-mismatch to order your life-changing copies of the title.

You will also find Dr. Joseph's teachings at Youtube.com/c/HarvestWays

Please subscribe to the Harvestways Everywhere channel.

WE THANK YOU for your custom!

DISCOVER GOD'S TREASURES WITHIN

Every human possesses at least one exceptional innate ability. It was God-created, God-designed, and God-gifted. It is always residual, though, and that’s the exact part you must ‘desperately’ desire to effect: Experience the discovery-pathway of God's rare deposit-lead! Do not let anyone talk you out of the truth that you are of inestimable value to God. This is one of the ways the devil robs unwary humans! Also, jealous, envious, and raging bullies will feel intimidated by their perception and interpretation of your treasures. In effect, they will

undoubtedly work hard to bring you down. Your acquiescence with this truth –

that you’re inherently gifted by the Creator – is your saving grace!

Reading and implementing what you read on this blog will both empower and embolden you to take the ‘fight’ to your thoughts. It also, I believe, will encourage you to roll up your sleeves and get ready to ‘dig deeper’ below the surface soil of your very existence. Both the recognition and the discovery of your latent gifts are a tag-team, ferocious weapon you must be ready to unleash in the face of life’s trials, troubles, temptations and turmoil. You must discover your innate abilities. And that by yourself. It is right within your sole jurisdiction to do so. Doing so is the very first step anyone takes towards their breakthrough!

When David had discovered his God-endowed gifting, he further had discovered the following:

• His self-worth

The combination of the harshness of the attitudes of David’s bigger, older brothers; a weak dad, Jesse, and a self-discovering, emerging, daring, precocious, ruddy-faced lad only spelt one word: turmoil! The young guy just couldn’t be bothered! He solaced his life of turmoil with a deeper sense of the self-discovery of his self-worth.

Blessed are a people who dare to self-reflect in abject solitude! For you who are afraid of aloneness, take a cue: solitude is the only tool that will reveal unto you the true you! Solitude alone has the power – if rightly engaged – to either build you up or tear you down.

• God’s compassion and mercy:

The shepherd-boy’s discovery had been astounding. He had uncovered the mechanics of God’s grace covenant. He had acquired the knowledge undergirding God’s mercy and compassion freely made available, which anyone free-falling short of God's standards, a sinner or an accursed mixed-Moabite like himself, could lay hold upon and be preserved to thrive thereupon. Such an understanding does not avail itself to a care-free mind; it only comes by the diligent understudy of that compassionate God Who longs to shower His mercy and compassion upon all who come to Him. His Word says: “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger and plenteous in mercy” (Psalms 145:8).

• His passion for the worship of God:

This afflicted young man further reached deeper into his soul to discover his ravishing passion for music - and the worship of God. Many a time, people who are gifted in music and worship will compose, arrange, and produce masterpieces! Furthermore, David had discovered his wittiness for inventing musical instruments while in the desert. The same rugged woods of the forest had become his workshop for the invention of a virtuoso, hand-crafted viol, lyre, and other stringed instruments.

• His unflinching passion for the few sheep he had doted on:

Young shepherd boy David had also developed an unfathomable passion for the upkeep and well-being of the few ewes he was tending on the back side of the desert. Passion for those who seemed somewhat like the “weaker vessels” in life – or occupants of both the lower echelons of society and the despicable places of life is essential if we must become the instrument of a lasting change in others! This part of the curriculum, no university or theological seminary in the world would teach. Humility can only come by brokenness.

• The development of an urgent sense of sustainable economic growth:

Very soon, he was bottling and supplying milk, fermented cheese – and other dairy products from his farm of a flock of a few sheep to the adjacent villages! The young man had developed a sense of sustainable economic growth so much that he had happily sacrificed his very dear life to save that of an ewe or a lamb either when the bear or the lion had posed predatory threats. Predatory threats to any of his livestock had been well translated to mean a threat to his financial investments!

• But he also invented an innocuous offensive weapon: The sling!

David not only had developed sharp business acumen, he had also invented and carved an innocuous offensive weapon: the sling! He had been notorious with his sling and the leather pouch that had held the stones. All bye-passer travelers, and neighboring peasants had described him by his appearance: The Shepherd- boy-With-The-Sling-And-Leather-Pouch-Slung-Across-Chest. Wow, what an unmistakable young man! Much like Prophet Elijah, who also had a distinctive appearance that had marked him as different from his closest peers!

David also had so much faith in God, himself, and his witty inventions. Whenever he had maneuvered those crude inventions into positions to practise and sharpen his skills, charged, anointed atmosphere had been induced. Imagine, for instance, when he had laid his hands on the flute or the lyre to play, all the birds had chirped along to his tune. Weird happenings had occurred. Possibly the hyenas too had howled farther away in the distant mountains in the night as he had strung the strings of the lyre – and sang in the pitch-dark, star-studded sky. Can you imagine that? But that in reality

could well have been the case, because of the presence of God’s anointing upon him. You see, anywhere the anointing is present, there miracles attest.

• He had cultivated and developed his mind’s power of focus:

This young lad had unleashed so many ferocious attacks upon his intended targets in the solitude and secrecy the desert offered him until he emerged a pro, sharp-shooter-sniper! A marksman you can’t afford to mess with. Such is the power of focus. You couldn’t dissuade him from his conviction and trust in his crude and ornate assault weapons: a simple wooden sling, some stones and a sling-purse!

 That was it!

That was all he ever would need in a few years to put the defiant giant Goliath from Gath of the Philistines to an eternal sleep.

 At this juncture, I would ask you: “Do you really desire to see a substantial move of God?” If you answered in the affirmative, then begin a soul-search to discover your innate abilities and harness your misfortunes, prevailing desert condition, solitude, or hardship into sharp- shooting opportunities through frequent practice and solid self-belief!

 ___________________________

Blog, written by Dr. Sammy Joseph. If you've any inquiries about what you have read or would love to write for us, contact us today at 'pulsepublishinghouse@harvestways.org'

(Picture credit: Pulse Publishing House, SJM: Copyrights: Sammy Joseph Ministries)

Our reading suggestion for fall 2026 is 'Overcoming the spirit of Diotrephes'.

Visit our PULSE Publishing House store at the secure link: https://www.harvestways.org/product-page/not-a-mismatch to order your life-changing copies of the title.

You will also find Dr. Joseph's teachings at Youtube.com/c/HarvestWays

Please subscribe to the Harvestways Everywhere channel.

WE THANK YOU for your custom!

The Reception of the Word!

There is an inner vestibule or chamber ― should I describe it as ― in every one created by the Creator, just as it is. It is "the spirit in man" | Job 32:8. This is the engine; the core of us.

But some humans walking our streets are dry, dead spirit with shiny bodies. Just like there are vehicles with brand new immaculate chassis and exteriors, devoid of engines; vehicles that are worth a mere trifle. These are the living, walking dead! Their spirit are dead toward and rebellious against God!

But there are also these whose spirit has been reborn. They are those described by God, as a brand new species of beings! Their entire being had never been created before now: They are alive in Christ Jesus | 2 Corinthians 5:17. They are not dead. They are spiritually alive, yet bodily wholesome-present on earth. This is my type of being: a born―again child of God!

Do you belong to this new species of being, or not?

I asked you because quite everyone on earth is searching for meaningfulness and purposefulness of their being. And they will never find the right answer away from the Person of Jesus Christ! That is already so tragic for them, isn't it?

However, whenever a human spirit receives the word of the Lord, there is illumination. As the Amplified Version renders it, there would be unfolding, discernment, and comprehension. In other words, the souls of the recipients are forever manufactured and kitted for purpose―fulfilment on the earth!

Not only this, if a person was unregenerate, for instance, and a good, balanced message of the Word of GOD ― the Gospel, is received into their inward being; their spirit will become quickened! Regenerated. Alive. Such will become alive towards God’s Spirit – and become fanned by the ruah; the breath of God. This exactly is what happens when we say a person has become “born again.” Born anew. Born of God’s Holy Spirit. Such a person now sees him/herself in the light of God’s perspectives. It now all of a sudden makes all the sense in the world to a person in prison, for instance, the gravity of their crime: They become overwhelmed. For the first time in many decades, they may become upset and shed tears, experiencing true remorse, indicative of their inner feelings! This remorse, the judge and the jury, in addition to the correctional institute, attempted for decades in vain to make them possess; suddenly, it outburtsts its seams, like a dam of pressured water! Or take as another example, a formerly injurious thief or robber who radically possesses the sweetest, peaceful nature all because of their newfound association with the Lord and Savior Jesus!

On the other hand, if another, for instance, already

knew God when the engrafted word of God was received by them with meekness, such becomes more renewed and more flooded with God's illumination in their spirit, soul, and body. This exercise, in turn, has lasting positive effects for daily preparation to living a life full of righteousness!

A lot of people there are walking, cycling, and traveling about freely in the societies of the world today who indeed are helpless, hapless, clueless, prisoners of their confused minds. They could be held captive by unforgiveness. Believe you me; if they continued to walk in the dictates of their minds, the Bible assures roots of bitterness would surely fester. When they have deepened in the soils of their hearts well enough, the associated physical manifestations that often result are incurable body ailments, sicknesses, and afflictions. I am sure you would probably have one or two people with whom you could easily associate this scenario; people who have passed life-imprisonment custodial sentences upon themselves because of their personal choices to not forgive and forebear grievance(s)!

Not only does the reception of the word of the Lord positively affect the human spirit, minds and bodies, it also produces unspeakable, indescribable joy full of glory! That joy in turn generates tons of energy from the very depth of the receptive human souls. And wherever energy is generated, there will be no want of fire, heat, heating, melting ― and so on ... All these are somewhat by-products of the light of God’s Word fanned into a fierce, fiery fire within the chambers of the human spirit.

What chains can resist the billowing descent of the fire of the Holy Spirit? None!

By this fire, curses are broken; inherited and genealogical disturbances, vaporized. Have you ever seen an uncontainable forest fire in action? It razes down to ashes anything in its pathway.

I am praying that the fire of God’s Word will burn from within your heart today!

 Let me bring this phenomenon of the Word producing light and

fire closer home to you. Remember those close to three million emancipated, confused Jews at the foot of Mount Seir? They had become dejected, despondent, depressed, defensive and defeated; life’s disappointments had diluted their resolve to inherit the promised land of Canaan. They perceived themselves as defenseless and weary. But no sooner had Moses received – and instructed them – God’s command to “advance northward”, than they had experienced a renewed surge of life! Energy had suddenly resumed in the red blood corpuscles coursing through their veins. If anyone was feeling that deadly, lethargic feeling caused by regrets and disappointments, disobedience and wasted opportunities, what such a person needed was a good, full dose of the undiluted, incorruptible word of God, which is forevermore alive (1 Peter 1:23-25).

The Word will produce in them such a tremendous, forceful surge in

energy, caused by God’s Light. This Light in turn produces optimism,

determination, and an inextinguishable strong, fiery passion to think, say, and do what is right, always.

Isn’t that phenomenal?

You Just Can't Mouth Change!

You see, you need a determined, purposeful, and optimistic

heart whose passion is inextinguishable to conquer the summit of your quest: the new beginning! You just can’t mouth change; you’ve got to have that inner strength and courage to really want to change.

Now, the truth is you will not possess an inextinguishable strength or determination to overcome, for instance, the struggle with an

addiction or a family history of curses by your self-efforts. Only God’s Holy Spirit can muster within you such incomprehensible strength. But you have your very own part to play in the process too: willingness to imbibe the Word! Only then will you become unstoppable!

"Thirsty for the Change; Hunger for the Word!"

Make that your mantra that births your new beginning! Our LORD

Jesus put it like this: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” ― Matthew 5:6.

_________________________

This blog was written and adapted by Dr. Sammy Joseph from the book Your New Beginning and is copyrighted. If you have any inquiries about what you have read ― or you would love to write for us ― contact us today at 'admin@harvestways.org'

Our reading suggestion for summer 2026 is 'Overcoming the spirit of Diotrephes'. Visit our PULSE Publishing House store at the secure link: https://www.harvestways.org/product-page/overcoming-the-spirit-of-diotrephes-leadership-series to order your life-changing copies of the title.

You will also find Dr. Joseph's teachings at Harvestways Everywhere: Youtube.com/c/HarvestWays

Please subscribe to our channel.

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