Perfected Under Pressure
Bob Yandian
The Example of Joseph—A Picture of Jesus
Joseph is probably the closest Old Testament type of the Lord Jesus Christ that we can find. Was Joseph perfect in the sense of never sinning? No, because he was human. Jesus Christ was the only one born outside of sin, who never committed a sin, and then went to the cross perfect and sinless. But when it comes to men in the Old Testament, Joseph comes pretty close. Joseph’s life is a picture of being perfected under pressure. His story shows us how to stand when everything seems against you and how to trust God when the road seems long.
Much of the book of Hebrews deals with perfection and God’s purpose in taking us through trials. Hebrews 2:2-3 says, "If the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Notice it says, "so great salvation." This salvation isn’t just about going to heaven one day. It’s about the power we have today, in this life, to overcome tests, trials, and pressures.
This salvation was first spoken by Jesus, then confirmed to us by those who heard Him—Peter, James, John, and others. Salvation is more than just the new birth; it’s God’s complete plan to bring us out of trouble and perfect us through every situation we face.
Three Sources of Pressure—And God’s Not One of Them
There are three main sources of trouble that come against us in life: the world, the flesh, the devil. God is not on that list. He is not the author of your trials. The world’s system is cursed because of Adam’s fall. The flesh is cursed because of the sin nature we carry in our bodies. And Satan and his demons still operate in this Earth.
God is our answer, not our problem.
Understanding Boundaries
Here is an example: When you raise your children, you tell them not to run into the street. You draw boundaries for them. But if they ignore your warnings and get hit by a car, did you send the car? No. You warned them. You gave them boundaries to protect them.
The same is true with God. He gave us the Word and the Holy Spirit to help us stay within the safe boundaries of His will.
Persecutions Will Come—But So Will Deliverance
Jesus said, "If they persecuted Me, they’ll persecute you" (John 15:20). But then He added, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Just because you are doing right doesn’t mean you will be free from persecution. In fact, sometimes trouble comes because you are doing right. But take heart. God has given you the tools, the weapons, and the power to come through it all.
Three Parts of Salvation
There are three aspects to our salvation:
Past tense salvation: We were saved in our spirit when we accepted Jesus.
Present tense salvation: Our soul is being saved daily as we renew our mind with the Word of God.
Future tense salvation: One day our bodies will be saved at the resurrection when we receive our glorified body.
This is spirit, soul, and body salvation. We were saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved. It’s an ongoing process of growth and victory.
Training for Battle
Think about the military. The government doesn’t create enemies for soldiers to fight. The enemy is already out there. The military equips us to defeat the enemy.
The same is true with God. The enemy is real. Satan and his forces are already in this Earth. But God has equipped us with weapons that are mighty through Him to pull down strongholds.
The shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, the helmet of salvation—these are your spiritual weapons. We need to learn to use them.
God doesn’t invent the strongholds. Satan does. God doesn’t bring the evil days. The world, the flesh, and the devil do. Galatians 1:3-4 says, "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world."
Deliverance is God’s plan for us—not disaster.
Why God Left Us Here — Salt and Light
If God’s only goal was to get us to heaven, He would have taken us the moment we got saved. But He left us here for a reason: to be salt, to be light, to make disciples. We are left here to represent Jesus Christ in the midst of an evil world. This world is wicked. The curse is still operating. But in the middle of it all, God is working through us to bring people to Himself.
First John 5:19 says, "The whole world lies in wickedness." God didn’t create the wickedness. But He created the solution. From the moment Adam sinned, God announced the plan for redemption. The seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. That prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
What We Know Will Bring Us Through
Romans 8:22 says, "We know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now." What gets us through pressure isn’t panic. It’s what we know. You may not know where the next attack will come from. But you know the answer—God’s Word. His promises never fail.
Romans 8:23 says, "Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."
This is our future hope—the rapture, the resurrection, the day when our bodies will be made brand new, just like Jesus’ resurrection body.
Until then, we have been given weapons. Ephesians 6 lists them out. They are spiritual, powerful, and effective. The answer isn’t to ask God to take away the problems. The answer is to use the weapons He has already given us.
Tribulation Produces Growth
Tribulation is necessary for spiritual growth. The Word of God makes this very clear. Romans 5:3 says, "We glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation works patience." Notice the word "knowing." We grow because we know something. When we step into a trial, we need to look at it and say, "I’m going to come out stronger on the other side." The trial isn’t fun. It’s not enjoyable while we are in it. But it has a purpose—it’s working something in us. God’s goal is to develop patience and spiritual maturity in our lives.
James 1:2-3 says, "Count it all joy when you fall into different trials; knowing that the trying of your faith works patience." Here is that word again—knowing. How do you count it joy? By knowing the outcome. Trials don’t come from God, but God will use them to mature us. When a problem comes, overcome your initial reaction of fear or depression. Count it all joy! Look at that problem and say, "I’m coming out better, stronger, and more joyful on the other side."
Choose to Be Strong
Ephesians 6:10 -11 says, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Notice this: it doesn’t say you are strong—it says be strong. It’s a choice. God has already given you His strength. Now it’s up to you to act on it. Every time you face a problem, use what you have learned. Satan may knock you down but get back up. And every time you get up, you are wiser than before. The devil is limited. He will run out of tactics. Just like with Jesus—three temptations and Satan had to depart for a season.
Strength Comes From Using the Word
1 Peter 5:10 says, "But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered for a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." Suffering doesn’t make you strong, using the Word in the suffering does. Trials alone don’t perfect you. If that were true, every Christian would be strong. But it’s the believer who pulls out the promises of God, acts in faith, and applies the Word during the trial that grows stronger.
Ephesians 3:10 says, "Now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." Every time you stand on the Word and overcome, Satan sees the wisdom of God working through you. God doesn’t have to come down and fight Satan—He’s given you His Word, His armor, and His Spirit. And when you use them, you walk in victory every time.
