Pressure

Paul wrote: We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, we were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure and we thought we would never live through it. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

Life itself can have a surmountable amount of pressure. The way we age can have a huge impact. All of the daily things we do such as cleaning the house, running errands, going to work, and trying to unwind when it is time to go to sleep. This doesn't include all of the things we do for others! When we give ourselves and time to others we often feel depleted.

I will try to keep this brief regarding myself. Last week I was feeling down because a friend of mine forgot I was coming to see her. ( I am so selfish because she does have Alzheimer's) Then Monday was crazy hard and I got all worked up for nothing. I was trying to write on my blog, come up with a Bible study, and read three chapters for a book club. I finished my blog, but the Bible study wasn't complete to my satisfaction and I only read one chapter so I was already behind. (we are supposed to read three chapters a week.) I was so anxious I wanted to scream! Then I felt guilty for not getting everything done. Talk about pressure!

Our pressures will vary from person to person and for a moment let's take a look at Paul. He knew what pressure was. He was left for dead, bitten by serpents, imprisoned, shipwrecked and so much more. These were things beyond his weight load. He felt like he was going to die. Now that in itself is pressure!

There is only so much pressure we can handle and the weight of it is too much. When this happens we turn to our friends, but they are not always available. Then we have to bear it alone.

Jesus experienced this and knows exactly how we feel during these times.

When we look to Jesus we see Him as a deity. We also need to remember that He came into the world as a man. The disciples walked with Him and were taught by Him. They became very close, but did they ever think of Him as a man?

Let's take a walk back in time to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew that He would be betrayed. (Can you imagine?) After all that Jesus had done for others He was pressed beyond measure and called upon His friends. I am sure He thought Peter, James, and John were His friends He could count on and that is why He called them to go with Him. He became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death, Stay here and keep watch with me."

He went a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that if it was possible, that the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet, not my will but yours be done. When He returned His friends were asleep. Couldn't you watch with me for one hour? Can you imagine every time Jesus performed a miracle they were awake to see it, but the when He needed them they were asleep. The place of Gethsemane is a place we will have go it alone. The pressure was so great that Jesus prayed three times. Now you know you can't through this place of pressing without prayer.

When I am pressed on every side I don't want anyone to see my pain. I don't want anyone to know how vulnerable I am feeling. To be honest I don't want anyone to know that I don't have it all together. At the same time I know I can't contain all of these emotions. So, eventually I realize I need to cry out to God and I hope you do the same. Then remind yourself that when we reach a place of pressing it is then that everything will flow out. Just like the olive when it is pressed the oil is going to flow. Power, strength, and wisdom will pour out from the pressure.

Do you need help with all the pressure you are going through? Seek God who has the power to help you withstand it! He did it for Jesus and He will do it for you.