In basketball, guards are taught to face the basket, their teammates and their opponents. Many times, in order to rattle these guards, a defense will double-team them when they have the ball.

The pressure of a double-team can be relentless. If the defense can cause the guard to become insecure in his or her ball-handling ability, and if the guard's teammates seem out of reach for a pass, the guard will likely turn their back to the defender, the basket and their teammates. That’s when they become vulnerable. Once the guard turns their back, that's when "the thief" (the other defender) comes in from the blindside and attempts to steal the ball.

In our lives, pressure can cause insecurities to rise to the surface, and that's when we become vulnerable. When this happens, we've got to face these fears head-on. We have to break through the double-team, break through the traps of fear, shame, doubt, guilt, escapism (drugs, alcohol, vegging out), and even suicide. Break through these traps by facing the pressure head on. God says we can do it, and He even gives us the strength!

Jesus Christ came so that you could live abundant life despite these death traps and double-teams. Breaking through them, however, requires full-on faith. Don't give into the temptation to do it half-way. There is life-giving power that can be found when we face pressure and hard truths head on.