Life has a way of pressing in on us. Challenges come, often uninvited, and they push us to our limits. Some seasons feel relentless, like wave after wave of difficulties. In those moments, it’s easy to wonder if we’re being crushed beyond repair. But what if the crushing isn’t just about pain? What if it’s producing something deeper, something more valuable than we can see in the moment?

In 1 Peter 1, we read about trials that test and refine our faith. It’s not a question of if trials will come—it’s a guarantee. But these trials don’t come to destroy us. They serve a greater purpose, much like the process of making olive oil. In ancient times, olives were shaken from the tree, gathered, and then placed under an intense pressing. The crushing wasn’t random; it was necessary to release the oil inside. Without the press, there would be no oil. Without trials, our faith remains untested, our trust in God unproven.

Jesus understood this better than anyone. The night before His crucifixion, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane—a place whose name literally means “oil press.” There, under the weight of what was to come, He prayed with such intensity that His sweat became like drops of blood. He was about to endure the ultimate crushing, not for His own sake, but for ours. His suffering wasn’t meaningless. It accomplished salvation, making a way for us to experience true life.

So what does that mean for us? It means that trials, as painful as they are, might not be something to escape but something to walk through with trust. That’s not to say we should go looking for suffering—life has plenty on its own. But when hardships come, we can ask, What is being produced in me? Maybe the pressure is bringing hidden fears to the surface, allowing us to surrender them to God. Maybe it’s revealing where we’ve placed our hope, showing us that only God’s promises are unshakable.

There’s also a difference between trials and consequences. Trials often come from circumstances beyond our control, testing and refining us. Consequences, on the other hand, come from choices—our own or those of others. Both can be painful, but they aren’t the same. The refining process of trials is about strengthening us, making us more resilient. Consequences, however, are often about learning and correction. But no matter the source, God meets us in both. He doesn’t leave us in our suffering—He walks with us through it.

Think about how olive oil is separated from impurities. When olives are pressed, the oil rises to the top while the water and debris settle beneath. It’s a slow, careful process. In the same way, the pressing in our lives can push out things that don’t belong—fear, doubt, selfishness—while allowing something pure and good to remain.

If you’re feeling pressed right now, take heart. This season won’t last forever. Trials are temporary. God is not. The crushing doesn’t define you, but what comes out of it might. Strength. Endurance. A faith that has been tested and found true.

So instead of asking, Why is this happening? maybe the better question is, What is God bringing out of this? What kind of oil is being produced in you? If you need encouragement, reach out to someone who can walk with you. Pray. Trust that God is not wasting this moment. The pressing might feel overwhelming as you are going through it, but in His hands, it’s producing something greater than you can imagine. Hang on and be assured that Jesus is hanging onto you, He’s closer than you might realize.