Pressures of life

Let's just keep it real...

We are bombarded with pressures every day. The moment we wake up the pressures begin. There's making sure the lunches are made; breakfast for the little ones; smoothies and coffee for the adults; passing out daily vitamins; filling water bottles for the day; straightening up before leaving the house; maybe throwing a load in the dishwasher; preparing for dinner; feeding and walking the dogs. Oh yeah, getting dressed to at least try and look decent.

Please don't forget to do the most important, spending time with Jesus at the very least thanking him for another day, praying for your loved ones, family, friends, and those you promised you would pray for, covering the prayer list. This is only at the very least of the things needed to get done and you haven't left the house, yet.

Then, after trying to leave the house to beat the traffic, I typically get in front of a person who left the house late; this could just be me. They're driving on my behind and bringing more unneeded pressure. I flip my review mirror up, so I won't look at them and get more worked up. However, the pressure is there, and I'm getting pressured to go faster, therefore, disturbing my "car peace".

I find peace when I am driving, it's very therapeutic for me.

"All things are possible if you can believe (Mark 9:23). "Whatever is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27).

Then there are other types of pressures:

Peer pressure

Work pressure

Family pressure

Societal pressure

Performance pressure

Social media pressure

Pressure of having it all together

Pressures behind expectations

(others and those we have for ourselves)

Pressures in holding my tongue

keeping the right attitude toward others.

"Loving my neighbor as myself (this is very difficult for me)." That's another post ...

(Romans 13:9) "No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." (1 Cor 10:24)

I can only accomplish this with the help of Jesus.

Ironically, knowing Jesus doesn't make things you have to do disappear. What knowing Jesus gives you is the ability to accomplish things, with grace and gratitude. I wrote a piece entitled, "I get to do this". I hope you were able to read it, it changed my perspective while I was writing it. We can see the pressures in life as an opportunity to show God's goodness in our lives.

"Focusing on the problem won't do you any good. In fact, the more you think about the problem instead of the Problem Solver, the weaker your faith becomes. Doubt has to be replaced with faith."(JH)

“You will keep in perfect peace and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You in both inclination and character], Because he trust and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]." (Isaiah 26:3)

Realizing and accepting your season in life is a game changer. If you are newly married, with small children, then your purpose at the moment is spending the necessary time to nurture your marriage and raise children; soon the season will change for you and them. Embracing our season is one of the key components in adjusting and being present for those who need you.

"First things First"

 I guess what I am saying in this passage is to embrace, cultivate, and trust the process. Try not to allow the pressures in life to dictate your outcome. Your peace is from God and no one, no situation, can take the peace that God has given.

"Be, still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

(Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

(Psalm 94:19) “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”(James 1:2-4)

“Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:44)

(Matthew 11:28-30) "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Throughout the season of pressure, we are fortunate to know that we have Jesus (i.e. the Holy Spirit) right there with us daily giving us the assistance we need.

"Anytime you are under pressure, begin to talk about Who God is and how big He is. Then put the devil in his place and remind him that God is bigger than anything he tries to bring about."(JH) 

Join me in relying on Jesus more than on myself.

Let's commit to doing this!!