Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
One of the most common problems we all share today is handling pressure and stress. I don’t know anyone who escapes it, do you? How do you have peace in the midst of your stress and pressures?
Now, I’m not going to tell you that you shouldn’t have pressure or stress in your life. Honestly, if you constantly lived free of pressure, you probably would not accomplish very much. Any time you start to get involved in anything, any time you decide to contribute something, any time you take on responsibilities, pressure and stress become a part of the scene.
Pressure forces me to be organized and to prioritize my time much better. And then, I really believe God uses pressure in our lives to teach us many things. Pressure teaches us to turn to him. Pressure makes us look up more often. Pressure keeps us aware of our need for him.
Of course, there is such a thing as too much pressure, and we certainly need to be careful about that. God reminds me frequently that I can’t do everything, and there is a limit to the amount of pressure I should handle. One of the major reasons we are under pressure and stress is because we haven’t learned to say no, and we’re trying to be superwomen or supermen.
You know, just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Just because there is something else to be done doesn’t necessarily mean you are the one who should do it, or it has to be done right now. Many of us try to be all things to all people, and it never works.
Honestly, I have to admit that sometimes I put myself under pressure because I want the praise of people. I’m doing it for the wrong reasons. Remember this: You’ll never get enough applause from people to make you feel significant. Our self-worth must come from our relationship with Jesus Christ.
If your superwoman’s wings are tired today, just stop and remember that God is not asking you to be a super-person. Perhaps that is why you’re feeling pressured and stressed. Let go of that superwoman pursuit and ask God to show you his plan for you and for your day.