Dealing With Pressure

I have been feeling an intense amount of pressure lately. Life is full of pressures. There is work pressure that stems from the need to take care of yourself and/or your family. There is social pressure to be a good friend, to join a community you can grow with. There is relational pressure to be a good spouse, and a good parent. There is individual pressure where you contemplate if you are living out your purpose or not. Pressure is all around you, but how you respond to that pressure will determine the quality of your life. The awesome thing about God is that he can even use the pressures of life for our good. Here are two ways that God uses pressure to make us better:

God uses pressure to perfect His will. Though pressure is uncomfortable, it is not without purpose. The early church faced extreme pressure in the form of persecution. However, this persecution led to the gospel being spread all across the earth. Don't allow pressure to break you, allow pressure to mold you.

God uses pressure to build our character. Adversity and pressure are similar– they each serve to develop us. It is when we are under pressure that we learn what we are made of. It is under pressure that diamonds are made.

The question becomes; how will you respond to pressure? Will you succumb to it and allow pressure to make you feel defeated, dejected, and discouraged? Or will you respond to pressure in faith, having confidence that God has a purpose for the pressure you are under? The choice is yours!

As always, stay rooted in Christ.

Meditation Verse:

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV