Under pressure? If you’re like me and hear those words, you immediately hear the distinct beat of a song that is the opening soundtrack of the movie “Step Mom.” I live life by songs and movie quotes. I don’t know who the actual singer of the song is, but it’s upbeat sound is deceiving of its message. Being under pressure is neither fun nor upbeat, but pressure is a required process in many of life’s great changes. 

How is it that we have lived life wanting more 4 day weekends and time off, but now during isolation, it’s not very enjoyable? Maybe, it’s because we can’t really go anywhere entertaining; we have less money and worry about paying our bills; our kids are driving us absolutely nuts…okay, maybe that’s just me; or we’re walking around with a rock of fear sitting on our chest because our future seems so unsure. Whatever you may be feeling, you’re not alone. We all feel the pressure.

Pressure is defined by a continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it. Have you ever thought about the times you feel pressure? I’m not sure I’ve ever stopped and identified what force is putting pressure on me. Sometimes it may be another person; as in peer pressure. Your job may be putting pressure on you. Teachers, like me, know the pressure we feel leading up to the STAAR test. We can also feel the pressure of anxiety and depression. Just know that when we are facing pressure, there is a force acting on us to cause that pressure. In identifying the force pressing on us, we can better deal with it. 

The crazy thing about pressure is that even while it is uncomfortable, it usually produces something spectacular. A couple of examples of force acting on another object in a positive way are:

• The magnificent butterfly. We all know the life cycle; egg-caterpillar-chrysalis-beautiful butterfly. It’s that third stage that is the most important. The caterpillar is weaved tightly into this tiny cocoon, feeling what I can only imagine is a lot of pressure. Envision yourself wrapped up so tight in a weighted blanket just hanging around waiting for change to come. I wonder if the caterpillar has any idea what God is doing in that tightly wrapped bubble. Do we even know what God is truly doing when we feel so completely covered by pressure? Can you imagine God just waiting for us to emerge from our chrysalis more beautiful than before we went in? 

• My favorite example of pressure being good; wine. Wine of course begins as grapes. The grapes must be crushed and pressed to release the juice. There are many other steps that must then take place, but the first is pressure. I don’t know about you, but I relish the outcome of grapes being pressed into wine. 

Like a fine wine, we too must be pressed in order to change into something greater. During times of stress or pressure, I try not to focus on what I’m feeling but what’s pressing on me. Consider how God might be using pressure to help you transform into a greater version of yourself. The you God intended..

 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

I feel the pressure of the world right now, and I can feel God pushing things out of me. What I’m becoming, I don’t yet know. But what I do know is God is in control and is creating new wine in my life.

Thank you so much Mandie! We hope you are encouraged and know you are not alone and you are loved. This song is amazing …let’s make it our prayer! All My Love ~ JB xoxo

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