Walking Through Pressure Without Fear

By Gabriela Galván de Pilger

What if the pressure you're feeling right now isn't there to break you — but to build something in you that only God can build?

There are two scriptures the Lord keeps bringing back to me through every season of our life. I want to share them with you, because I believe they will do for you what they have done for me.

"Even in times of trouble we have joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope… and this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us."

Romans 5:3–5

"Love never brings fear… love's perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts… We love because He first loved us."

1 John 4:18–19

For years I did not fully understand how these two scriptures worked together. But now — looking back at our journey — I can clearly see it. And I want you to see it too.

Several years ago, while Kevin and I were serving in Michigan, we started sensing something in our spirit. A shift. It wasn't because we were angry. It wasn't because someone hurt us. It wasn't rebellion. Deep inside, we knew God was calling us into something more.

At first it was hard to explain, because externally nothing made sense. But spiritually, we knew — transition was happening.

Then the pressure started coming.

The favor we once felt started changing. Peace became difficult. Doors didn't seem open anymore. There was no clarity for the next step. It felt like things around us were slowly breaking apart. And the hardest part? We still didn't know what God was doing next.

I remember when the pastors called Kevin into the office and asked what was going on. In that moment, we had a choice. We could pretend everything was fine. We could smile and keep acting like nothing was changing. But that's not who we are.

So Kevin honestly shared what we had been sensing in our hearts — that we believed God was leading us into a new season.

For us, this was not just leaving a church. This was leaving seven years of our life. Our children had to leave their friends, their home, the place where they grew up. Everything familiar was being stripped away.

People kept asking: "What are you going to do next?" And honestly — we did not fully know. Some people encouraged us. Some felt sorry for us. Some thought we were crazy.

But deep inside, I kept hearing the Lord say: "Gabby, trust the process."

That changed everything for me. Because I realized — God was not punishing us. He was preparing us.

And that is where Romans 5 became real to me.

• Pressure produces endurance.
• Endurance shapes character.
• Character leads us back to hope.
• And that hope does not disappoint.

Not fake hope. Not emotional hope. But real, grounded confidence in God.

And at the same time, 1 John 4 came alive in me — because I had to confront fear. Real fear.

• Fear of losing everything.
• Fear of failing.
• Fear of not having enough.
• Fear of disappointing people.
• Fear of becoming homeless.
• Fear of the unknown.

But the love of God kept pulling me back and reminding me: "If I called you, I will sustain you."

So we trusted Him completely. We sold our house. We gave away almost everything we owned. We packed only what we could fit into our 2007 Honda Odyssey van — with our three children.

And step by step, we came to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Now — my daughter Faith will tell you the reason we stayed in Oklahoma was because of Coney Island chili dogs. And honestly, every time she says it, it makes me laugh. Because if you live in Oklahoma, or you ever visit Tulsa, you need to stop and get yourself a Coney Island chili cheese dog. Praise the Lord for divine appointments and chili cheese dogs. Amen.

But in all seriousness — when we arrived in Oklahoma, we still did not have stability. No guaranteed job. No home. No clear next step. So we made the decision to stay, but we also knew we needed wisdom. Sometimes faith is not just moving quickly. Sometimes faith is humble enough to receive counsel.

We sat down with a leader here in Oklahoma that we deeply respected. We listened. We received wisdom. And honestly — they helped us realize we were not fully ready yet for some of the things we thought we were supposed to do.

And that was hard too. Because sometimes we think when God speaks, everything should happen immediately. But God is not only interested in the destination — He is interested in developing us on the journey.

So there we were again. Still without stability. Still figuring things out. Still walking one day at a time. But through all of it, God kept bringing me back to those same two scriptures.

And slowly, step by step, we watched His faithfulness appear in ways we never expected.

Kevin found a job. Was it his dream job? No. He started as a driver making $13 an hour. And honestly, in the natural, that looked impossible for a family of five. But my husband said something powerful:

And the amazing part? That opportunity came through divine connection. God already had provision prepared before we even arrived. He never even applied for that job.

Then came the next challenge — finding a place to live. Apartments were expensive. We really did not want to raise our family in a tiny apartment. But there was a problem: you usually need stable employment before someone trusts you with a home.

And once again, God stepped in. A man gave us the opportunity to rent his house — even before Kevin had established stability at work. He trusted us. He gave us favor. Another reminder that when God guides you, He also sustains you.

Now, looking back over these seven years in Oklahoma, I can honestly say: it has been God all along. Every step. Every connection. Every open door. Every provision. Every lesson. Every stretching season.

And now — here we are again. Another season ending. Another assignment completed. And honestly? It feels very similar to what we experienced seven years ago in Michigan.

But this time something is different.

Because when we left Michigan, I remember praying: "God, we already have a good life… but I believe You for more." And after these seven years, God gave us double. Double the growth. Double the healing. Double the blessing. Double the understanding. Double the testimony.

So now as another season closes — I am believing for even more. Not because life is easy. Not because everything is visible right now. But because God has already proven Himself faithful.

If He did it before, He will do it again.

And friend, I want you to understand something — this is not just our story. This is what God does. He uses the pressure of every season to shape a Godly character in us. He refines us. He teaches us trust. He replaces fear with love. And then He leads us into something greater than we could have imagined.

That's Romans 5 in real life. That's 1 John 4 walking out of the pages and into your story. And at every step, His perfect love casting out fear.

Pressure → Endurance → Character → Hope.

So friend — if you are walking through a season that feels uncertain… if doors are closing… if the pressure feels heavy… if you are trying to understand what God is doing… do not run from the process.

Let God refine your character. Let Him teach you trust. Let Him show you His goodness in ways you could never experience without the stretching.

Because sometimes the pressure is not there to destroy you. Sometimes it is there to remove the fear — and reveal the faithfulness of God.

His perfect love really does cast out fear. So be encouraged. The same God who carried us through Michigan carried us through Oklahoma. And the same God who was faithful then will be faithful again.