Are you falling Under Pressure
A few years ago, there was a trending video about goats—the "GOAT," meaning "Greatest Of All Time." Yet, if you read the Bible, goats carry a negative connotation.
May 18, 2025
Goats or Sheep: Which Will You Be?
A few years ago, there was a trending video about goats—the “GOAT,” meaning “Greatest Of All Time.” Yet, if you read the Bible, goats carry a negative connotation. Goats are very smart, sometimes too smart. My advice is this: don’t be a goat; be a sheep.
We have a Shepherd, not a goat herd. Goats are so smart they think they know better than the Shepherd. They can even climb cliffs and jump off, acting on their own dangerous intellect. Sheep, however, are different. They are simple creatures; they don’t look up or around much. They only see the Shepherd and follow Him, and in doing so, they are fed and cared for.
Would you rather be a smart goat who jumps off a cliff or a simple sheep who follows the Shepherd and lives a blessed life? I have decided long ago—I would rather be “dumb” and be blessed than be “smart” and lead myself into the valley of the shadow of death.
The Assurance of the Shepherd
Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
As long as the sheep has a Shepherd, the sheep lacks nothing. When you find yourself in want, ask yourself: Do I have a Shepherd? The scripture does not say, “I shall not lack peace,” or “I shall not lack joy,” but “I shall not want.” This means you shall not lack peace, provision, wisdom, joy—anything you need.
Because you have a Shepherd.
Trusting the Shepherd Over Your Own Intellect
You were saved when you confessed that Jesus is Lord, your great Shepherd. So why try to outthink Him? Use His wisdom. Follow Him. Don’t stress yourself by relying on your own intellect.
Remember how, during your board exams, you carried a calculator for complex math? You didn’t do everything in your head. Similarly, in life’s struggles, don’t rely on your own mind—use the mind of Christ. Follow Him, listen, and trust Him.
If you are stressed, ask: Who is thinking for my life? Am I relying on my own understanding, or am I following Jesus’ thoughts? The power of the message is in its simplicity: the Shepherd keeps the sheep, not the other way around.
Letting God Be Your Lord
So why are we stressed? Because we try to take the place of the Shepherd in our lives. We try to take God’s role. Let Jesus be Lord. Don’t occupy His seat.
Many pressures in life are self-inflicted. Don’t inflict pain on yourself. Trust the Lord. When Jesus is the Shepherd, He takes care of you. It is His responsibility.
The Privilege of Being a Child
Think about it—when you were born, the first question wasn’t, “Do you have money for milk?” No, it’s a privilege to be a child and be taken care of. Sometimes young children become overly responsible, worrying too much. I want to remind you: relax. You are a child.
Enjoy the privilege of being cared for.
Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Jesus said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Don’t overthink. Be faithful where you are. Do what you are called to do and trust that the Lord has your future.
The Danger of Overthinking
Some of the best decisions in life are made quickly. For me, choosing engineering and saying “yes” to Betty happened in seconds. Overthinking is not a gift—it is a curse. Until Jesus is your Lord, let Him think for you.
If your thoughts bombard you at night, preventing peaceful sleep, you need prayer. The Bible says, “He gives His beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2). Rest in God’s presence.
Resting in Green Pastures
Psalm 23:2 – “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.”
God makes you rest in provision and peace—green pastures, not dry ones. So rest. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
Learn to rest in the Lord. Know your boundaries. Don’t cross into areas that are not yours. Stay in your lane, your office, your calling. Let the Shepherd take care of the rest.
Trusting God’s Plan and Timing
Before you were born, the earth was revolving around the sun without any pressure. The world did not wait on you. Similarly, God’s plan does not depend on your stress. Relax and trust the Shepherd.
When unnecessary thoughts creep in, speak to your mind: “Sam, you don’t have to think this. This is Jesus’ job.” Learn to take authority over your life and trust God’s faithfulness.
Walking Through the Valley
Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
When you make bad decisions, you may walk through difficult valleys. But even then, God is with you.
The rod protects you from enemies; the staff comforts and guides you back when you stray. If you are in a valley now, don’t despair. Instead, speak to God. Tell Him, “I know You are with me, and I trust You can redeem all things.”
Feasting in the Presence of Enemies
Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
We often want to feast only when problems are gone, but God invites you to feast amidst the storm. In sickness, weakness, or stress, feast on God’s faithfulness. Don’t focus on your problems—focus on the feast God has prepared for you.
Learning to Sleep in the Storm
Psalm 23 teaches us to sleep peacefully, even during the storm. Jesus Himself slept while the storm raged. The greater the storm, the deeper the sleep. I remember a day when, despite many interruptions, I slept deeply and woke up refreshed. Learn to sleep in the storm, not in times of partying or feasting. When the storm comes, sleep in peace.
Strength in the Day of Adversity
Learn how to face your storms and challenges.
Proverbs 24:10 – “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”
Problems indicate what is inside of you; pressure simply reveals what is already there. Like squeezing a sponge—if it is full of water, water will come out. If it is dry, nothing will come out. What you fill yourself with is what you will leak under pressure.
When you faint in the time of adversity, it indicates a lack of strength. When you lack strength, you need to seek God for strength.
When Jesus was betrayed, Peter followed Him closely. But when confronted, Peter denied Jesus three times. Despite Peter’s weakness, Jesus demonstrated immense strength. Though sorrowful and physically drained—blood gushing, water leaking—Jesus did not utter a word of cursing. Instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” That shows strength.
Adversity reveals true strength; it does not weaken you. Do not run from adversity. Instead, learn to recognize your strength in the midst of trials. As Proverbs 24:10 reminds us, fainting in adversity means small strength.
Training for Strength
Consider how soldiers are trained rigorously in various climates and terrains, carrying heavy equipment to prepare for battle. They are trained beforehand so they can stand strong in the actual fight. You are a warrior, though you may look like a baby. Training does not happen during the problem; it happens before the problem arises.
Many believers pray only when the fire has already started—firefighting prayer. But if you train yourself in good days, you will have strength when problems come. Just like no one goes to the gym when sick, you build strength when you are healthy.
Inner Strength, Not Physical Appearance
When we talk about strength, it is not physical strength but inner strength. A bulky person may be the first to run in trouble, while a small, quiet leader may stand firm. When Prophet Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king, he saw handsome and strong sons trained for battle. Yet God said, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
We need to be strong in the inner man more than in the physical. Paul prays in Ephesians 3:16.
Ephesians 3:16 – “That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”
This inner strength is crucial.
Strength Like Peter and Daniel
Peter denied Jesus but later died a martyr’s death, crucified upside down, unbroken in spirit despite brutal tortures. His inner strength could not be quenched.
Daniel survived a night in the lions’ den. The lions were fierce and ready to attack, but Daniel’s inner strength came from another dimension.
Before Jesus was betrayed, an angel came and strengthened Him (Luke 22:43). When you pray and dwell in God’s presence, He sends help and strength.
Psalm 105:4 – “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.”
Seek God’s strength, not your own.
Building Spiritual Strength Through Prayer
Prayer is like exercise for your spirit. Just as you build muscles through physical training, prayer builds your inner man. Seek the Lord every day—not only on Sundays—because consistent connection builds strength. Prayer and the Word are as vital to your spirit as food is to your body. When troubles come, you must operate in God’s strength, not your own.
Courage to Face Giants
Biblical heroes like Caleb, Joshua, and David faced giants without fear because they were strengthened in the Lord. Whatever your biggest challenge is—fear of the future, loneliness, or anything else—do not be afraid. Seek the Lord and His strength until you can face your problems with boldness.
The devil may roar like a lion, but you can resist him by standing firm in your identity as an overcomer. Fear reveals weakness, but operating in God’s strength allows you to stand and resist calmly.
The Power of Resisting Fear
When I was young, I feared a neighbor’s fierce dog. But my cousin taught me to stay calm, look the dog in the eyes, and resist fear. Over time, the dog stopped barking. The devil senses fear and uses it to intimidate us. To resist him, we must stand strong in faith and identity, not fear.
David’s Strength in Crisis
David faced immense trials. When the Amalekites raided Ziklag, stealing his family’s possessions, even his own men wanted to stone him in anger (1 Samuel 30:6). Despite the betrayal and bitterness surrounding him, David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. Strengthening yourself in the Lord is vital—especially when no one else encourages you. Learn to be your own best encourager and find strength in God.
Be Strengthened Before Seeking Direction
After strengthening himself, David inquired of the Lord whether to pursue the enemy. God answered, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and rescue” (1 Samuel 30:8).
Before asking God for direction, you must first be strengthened in Him. Decisions made in emotional pain can be distorted. Theology and understanding of God’s nature come from a place of strength, not panic or despair.
Strength Before Understanding
Often, we try to seek understanding before finding strength, especially after betrayal or pain. But understanding follows strength—not the other way around. Seek God’s strength first, then move forward; understanding will come afterward.
Strengthening Through Speaking in Tongues
One way to build spiritual strength is through speaking in tongues. 1
Corinthians 14:4 – “The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself.”
Similarly,
Jude 1:20 – “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,”
Jude 1:20 urges believers to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” Though you may not understand what you speak, your inner man is strengthened through this prayer. Strength comes first, then understanding.
The Discipline of Consistent Prayer
Strength requires time spent in God’s presence. Speak in tongues regularly, even if it feels like just speaking without understanding. Like physical training, spiritual strength builds gradually.
I developed a habit of reading the Bible daily, but in my early twenties, much of it did not make sense. Like complex science, the meaning was not immediately clear. However, through spiritual growth and prayer, understanding eventually comes.
The Importance of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a vital part of our prayer life. When we give thanks, we acknowledge God’s goodness and faithfulness. It shifts our focus from our problems to His provision. Thanksgiving opens the door for God’s peace to fill our hearts. Without thanksgiving, our prayers can become just a list of requests. This simple act of gratitude aligns our hearts with God’s perspective, helping us trust Him more deeply and receive His peace.
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