Have you ever seen a pressure cooker? I saw my grandma use one when I was
growing up. It actually scared me
because steam would shoot out the lid, and the top knob would noisily shake
and rattle. Sometimes it would
even whistle!
There are
days when, as a mom, I felt just like that pot! Pressure was growing inside, minute by minute, until it felt
like steam would shoot out my ears! If there were a “pressure-o-meter” attached to you, what would it
register? Low-grade? Simmering? Boiling? Exploding?
Matt 6:34
says, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Since “trouble” is expected on a daily basis,
let’s figure out some ways of coping with these pressures, even if it's just for 5 minutes.
1) Count to 10...slowly.
2) Take a mental vacation. Dream of someplace beautiful you've been to, or would like to visit.
3) Take a break.
4) Do something you enjoy.
5) Talk with a friend.
6) Rest. Sleep.
7) Take your kids to a park, or a fun place.
8) Read a magazine.
9) Watch something funny.
10) Listen to music you like.
11) Meditate. Pray.
12) Take a walk. Exercise.
The
Apostle Paul had his own pressures.
He heard God tell him, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My
strength comes into its own in your weakness.” (II Cor 12:9, The Message)
Paul said
that he would rather boast about his troubles, so that the power of Christ
would live in him. The only way he
could get through the day was by focusing on Jesus, and letting His strength
over-shadow his troubles.
So the next time you feel the pressure rising, remember God’s
grace can bring your pressure down.
When you feel like you can’t go on anymore, or you feel weak, God’s
power is right there, being perfected in you. Talk to Him.
Tell Him what you’re feeling, and ask for His grace to pour over
you. Relax in Him, and let your
“pressure-o-meter” take a nose-dive!
