Winepress
Recently, one Sunday, the Lord gave me the word "winepress." As I read about how winepresses function, I found some Holy-Spirit-inspired encouragement for this season. Winepresses use controlled pressure to squeeze the grapes in such a way that all the good juice is released but the seeds and skin are left behind.
There are several kinds of spiritual pressures we encounter in life. Sometimes the pressure is a false pressure created by us, which we put ourselves under. Sometimes the pressure is caused by the enemy trying to push us out of alignment with the will of the Father. Other times it's God who is causing the pressure in order to lead us out of places or mindsets that are destructive. Regardless of the source of the pressure, when we seek the Lord in the midst of it, He will keep it from crushing the seeds. Often the areas where we are experiencing pressure are the very same areas where the Lord has seeds of hope and redemption for us.
The enemy's goal is to convince us that the pressure is crushing and that there are no viable seeds. The Word of God tells us, however, in 2 Corinthians 4:8 that "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair." The word "pressed" is thlibó in the Greek (Strong's 2346), which means "trouble," "affliction," and "narrow," like the narrow road we are called to walk. We endure pressure both from the trouble of the enemy and from the hemming in of the narrow path we are called to. Yet that same verse promises that we will not be "crushed" or "restrained" (Strong's 4729).
Bitterness Is Not Meant to Be a Byproduct of Pressure
When the seeds of grapes are crushed into the wine, it releases bitterness from the tannins, which is why wine presses must have very controlled pressure so as to not crush the seeds. The same is true within us.
When we believe the lie that the crushing of this season is beyond the redemption of the Lord, we crush the seeds. Again, this is confirmed in 2 Corinthians 4:8, when it says that we are not "crushed." The word "crushed" is stenochóreó, which is defined by Strong's Concordance as "holding back affection for someone, like when refusing to respond positively because of a closed heart." (Photo via Unsplash)
We are able, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to have a responsive and open heart of hope, even in times of pressure. Bitterness was never meant to be a byproduct of pressure: seeds and old skin are.
There Are Seeds of Hope in Your Pressure
Regardless of whether or not God was the source of the pressure (whether it's affliction or the narrow road), when we hear the Lord and believe His goodness, when we open our hearts to Him and remain responsive throughout, we let Him control the pressure and preserve the seeds and skin. There are seeds of hope in your pressure.
What the Lord wants to grow in and through you for the next season is being birthed in the squeeze. Often areas of fruitfulness in previous seasons or destined fruitfulness for future seasons can be the very places where we are hard-pressed.
Leaving behind the skin reminds me of the call to put new wine into new wineskins. There is a shedding of what was fitting for last season's fruit, but that cannot be held onto without also restraining what greater goodness God is growing and developing over time.
As we seek the Lord in what can sometimes feel like crushing seasons, let's do it with a heart that's open and responsive. Let's not believe the bait that leads to bitterness, the lie that nothing good will come from this pressure. Your seeds of hope will not be crushed; you are just ready for a new wineskin.
Encounter questions for prayer:
• Holy Spirit, what seeds of hope have You spoken that You are wanting me to hold onto in this season?
• God, what would You like me to know about this season of pressure?
• Father, how can I trust You and give You control?
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Sara Whitten
Arrows of Zion
Email: sara@arrowsofzion.com
Website: www.arrowsofzion.com
Sara Whitten is an author, speaker, equipper, and founder of Arrows of Zion Ministry. She and her husband are youth pastors at Impact Christian Fellowship in Kerrville, Texas. Sara is a prophetic writer that is featured on Charisma, The Elijah List, Spirit Fuel, and more. She hosts "Hear God Every Day," a podcast with tools to help amplify the voice of God amidst the noise of everyday life. She participates in developing resources and Bible-based trainings for areas least reached by the Gospel. Sara also facilitates trainings for professionals wanting to use their business or marketplace skills for the Kingdom.
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