Under pressure

Many times we are "pressured" – either because of persecutions, struggles or difficulties. I think that this, often happens, most of the time. And many people complain because they do not understand why God allows us to be "pressed".
If you go to Israel, you will see some interesting places that demonstrate how oil was extracted from olives.
There was a big press, which had large round stones. In the middle, there was a main axis tied to a trunk, connected to the stone, which rolled over the olives, causing pressure.
There were four stones that caused four different kinds of pressure. Each kind extracted oil for a specific use.
First pressure - With the pressure of the first stone, the anointing oil was extracted, which was used in the Temple.
In the anointing, God empowers and gives wisdom.
"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." Isaiah 11.2
"... But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14.26
Second pressure – Shortly after the first pressure, the second stone is put into place. With its weight, the oil used for food was extracted.
When we seek to nourish ourselves with the Word of God, which possesses Spirit, our strength is renewed and we can move forward, even during difficult times – even if the Word does not please us. Because, it may not be what we want to hear, but its what we need. And hearing the truth often hurts, but it is for our own good.
"So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, or did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord..." 1 Kings 17.15- 16
Third Pressure - With the pressure from the third stone, the oil that was used in the Temple lamps was extracted, so that the Lamp of God would never go out.
The Bible says that we are a sanctuary, a temple of God. And you could not, in any way, allow the lamp of the Temple to go out. There were periodic shifts to insure that there was always oil in the lamp.
"...And before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” 1 Samuel 3.3-4
We also see this in the parable of the ten virgins:
"Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." Matthew 25.3-4
We should never let the Lamp of God go out within us because of sin or spiritual accommodation.
Fourth pressure – The fourth stone had the strongest pressure. It weighs four times more than the others and it causes the olive oil to produce a pasty slush that mixes in with the olives. The people of Israel used this oil to make soap. And what is soap used for? When you wash your hands or take a bath using soap, how do you feel afterwards? Clean! Without impurities, right?
This is also how God wants us to be: clean and purified.
"...Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit..." Titus 3.5
So don’t be disheartened when you are faced with the pressures of persecution, struggles and difficulties. This is God extracting the best from you to anoint you, strengthen you, keep your flame alive and purify you for Him.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1.2-4