Tension & Treasure
Life is a dichotomy between tension and treasure. It seems both are an important part of our journey.
First, tension comes in the conflicts and the strains of life. These moments and seasons put pressure on our patience and faith. We wonder how things will work out and what is coming next. It’s so easy in the tension of life to get discouraged, seeing what is before us as a mountain that seems insurmountable. We all face this, and we all face fears connected to this part of our lives. However, I believe tension brings about opportunities to grow and discover new things about ourselves. It produces an inward determination that will not waver, but pursue the destination of promise, no matter what.
Tension presses down on our emotions and feelings, yet, in this place, a connection with God can form at a new level. It can bring about new sensitivity to Him. We can know Him and hear His voice more clearly and precisely. It’s the tension that can define a love relationship and cause it to go to new levels. It’s crazy how it works, but it’s true! Our tension can turn into the greatest open door in our lives.
“I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”
Job 42:5
I encourage you to hold onto this verse in the middle of the tension of your life, because this is where you can see Him! This is where you can take your next step and never be the same!
Second, treasure comes in many forms and in different ways. It can come in the form of a goal achieved, a championship won, a personal victory, a successful life, dreams come true and more, yet I believe these treasures are incomplete. We are conditioned to think in terms of money, fame, and “bigger is better.” While these types of treasures can be fun, they don’t compare to the treasure God has for us.
God puts His treasure inside you and me, making us His own, destined for eternity to impact generations as we live our lives. He has peace, confidence, provision, purpose, healing, wisdom, strength and more in store for us. His treasure is beyond green paper or concrete foundations. It’s inside of us and revealed through us as we live for Him. When we can receive material things from this place, it’s best, because we know whose we are and who has it all. God! It’s the internal things that shape who we are and what we are. Treasure is greatest seen from an eternal perspective.
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever.”
Psalms 16:11
I encourage you to receive this promise and let it gauge your view of His treasure inside of you!
My final thought is this: Tension and treasure are connected. In fact, they go hand-in-hand. From the tension of life comes the treasure of life, because the pressure forms diamonds within our spirits. Tension brings out His destiny and promise. This is the beauty of tension. God turns it for good. Tension can easily hurt us, limit us or wear us down – yet in Christ, tension provides the platform for treasure to be revealed.
Pain, setbacks and disappointments are what God uses to bring out your healing. Struggle produces tenacity. Grief and loss produce joy unspeakable and full of His glory. The heartache of rejection and breakup can provide the understanding of acceptance from Christ! So in all of this, I encourage you to embrace the tension and expect the treasure to be revealed!
God has something on the other side of this place of tension, and it’s for your good! He is for you, and no person or thing can be against you. Your tension will be turned into a treasure that is priceless!
The best is yet to come!
-PD
