Motivation Series: Pressure
- Word of Beatitude
- Apr 9, 2021
- 4 min read
Pressure
A sense of stressful urgency caused by having too many demands on one’s time or resources. - Oxford dictionary
In this day and age, it almost feels as though everything is a competition, even if the only other competitor is yourself. It almost feels as if there is a race against time and if you’re not fast enough you will never make it to the (none existing) finish line. It feels like the journey is long, and the destination is far away, yet time is going at the speed of light. This is what pressure can feel like at times.
Pressure is something that a lot of people deal with today. If you were to ask your parents or elders on how they view pressure and their experiences with it, they will tell you that they felt the exact same way when they were at the stage of life you are currently in but, perhaps with different expectations hanging on their shoulders. But all in all, we can all kind of relate to the same types of pressure. The pressure of being successful financially and building a great career, the pressure of making your family proud, the pressure of feeling accomplished amongst your peers, the pressure of having your life all figured out, the pressure of being in a healthy relationship that last till eternity, the pressure of being proactive, the pressure of looking good and the list goes on forever.
What to do when under pressure?
Sometimes when pressure gets too much it turns into stress which leads to anxiety. At that point it may even feel like your head is underwater and you’re barely able to breathe. It may feel like there is so much weight on your shoulders and you’re not able to hold yourself up. It becomes too much for one to carry, regardless of how strong you may think you are.
If that is you, do yourself one favour and BREATHE!
Inhale, exhale, let loose, relax your shoulders, drink some water, take a shower and BREATHE!
You need to understand that there is only so much you can do. Please do not subscribe to the “everyone has the same 24 hours” ideology. Everyone carries their weights differently. Everyone’s path and journeys are different. You don’t need to achieve your goals and fulfil your plans in the same time frame as the next person.
Remember what God said about the plans He has designed specifically and specially for you.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Relax! Have faith that you will not just be fine. No, you will be great. And when we say great, we do not mean Forbes list great or billionaire great. No. we are talking about the fact that you will be great at the things you want to be great at. Not just great in the eyes of the world that measures your success for you as a measure for your value as an individual. We are talking about the greatness that is within yourself that can only be activated when you have
peace in your life. Peace of mind! One thing that pressure disrupts is peace. Even in it’s scientific context; pressure disrupts the structure of things by either changing its form or breaking its structure.
Seek peace of mind above your pursuit of whatever produces pressure in your life.
Whenever you feel like you’re overwhelmed by pressure, remind yourself of Christ and how He is the Prince of Peace.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27 NKJV
Whenever you feel overwhelmed with pressure remind yourself of Jesus is telling you to “Let not your heart be troubled” as Christ has given you His peace. If you have accepted Christ as your own Lord and saviour then this peace is already inside you. All I have to do is look away from the things that are troubling your heart and your mind and look on to Christ who is the giver of peace.
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
Matthew 6:27 NLT
This is the number one question you should ask yourself when you feel like you are overcome by pressure and anxiety. What purpose does pressure have in your life? You can only be as productive, as successful and driven as you could possibly be if your mind is at peace. Without a peaceful mind and a peaceful heart, the feeling of pressure, worry and anxiousness will only be taxing to your mind, body and spirit. It can only taking away from you and not add any value to your life.
Lastly always remember this:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Philippians 4:6 NLT
Once you master the art of communicating your worries to God as opposed to trying to figure it all out on your own and thanking Him for what you already have, you will find yourself more at peace as you have invited the Prince of Peace to lift up your heavy burdens for you and replace it with His peace.
Summary:
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NLT
Prayer:
Father God in the name of Jesus,
I thank you for being the God who is love and for sending me Your Son who is the Prince of Peace on which I can lay all my heavy burdens onto. I thank you because, in Christ I may receive rest and will no longer be weary, tired, frustrated, anxious, depressed and overwhelmed with pressure. I pray that Your peace Lord shall never depart from me and will surround me from the inside out from this very moment.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
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