When Push Comes to Shove

Guest Post by Author C.A. Simonson

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Overwhelmed, weary, and defeated, I punched the dough hard, imagining one irritating person. As I worked the bread dough back and forth, I felt like the dough. The situation at work had been doing the same to me. I felt weighed down beneath the heavy hand of authority which produced unbearable stress. Right-sizing shoved more projects my way. Tight deadlines pressed in. And when push came to shove, I was either on a high or a depressing low.

“Lord, I need you,” I confessed.

Continuing to knead the bubbles from the bread, I sensed the Bread of Life speak quietly into my heart. “And I also knead you so that you’ll need Me.”

Did God have a sense of humor, or was that my thought? It made me smile. It also made me realize God wanted me to be as pliable as the dough. Rising up in anger or defense would not work. I had to be willing to release my will, yield my rights, and trust Him to work those areas of ‘leaven’ out.

Everyone faces difficulties beyond their capabilities. We do our best to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), but then we must relax and let God do the spiritual kneading. He uses our stresses to mold us into His image. He is working it all out for your good. (Romans 8:28) Rejoice, and be glad!

PRAYER: Lord, pressures are increasing. Allow me to relax and let you work it all out. AMEN.

A devotion from God Help Me, an interactive devotional journal.

C.A. (Candy) Simonson is a freelance writer and novelist. She began writing nonfiction articles in the 1980s with almost 800 articles published in multiple national or online magazines. Her award-winning stories are in seven anthologies, including Chicken Soup for the Soul. Her debut young adult novel, Love’s Journey Home, published in 2013 was followed by seven Christian YA novels and five nonfiction books. As a former IT computer trainer/teacher, she enjoys assisting other authors with book formatting, self-publishing, cover design, and sharing her technical and writing knowledge with writers’ groups. She serves the Springfield Writers’ Guild Board as the 2024 President and SWG webmaster. 

See more at CASIMONSON.COM