Take The Pressure Off

Hello all! Sorry its been a while, you know how it is this time of year. I think everyone is feeling the pressure and busyness of life.

I took a short break last weekend and went to Melbourne to visit a good friend of mine. When I opened my bottle of water mid flight it let out a loud pssst with the air escaping due to the change in pressure. I didn't think much about it and finished the water and put the lid back on. Upon landing I reached down to grab my bottle and found that the whole bottle had been squashed in on itself, again due to the change in pressure.

How are you coping with the pressure of busyness at this time of year? are you exploding or imploding? Are you hissing at anyone? Are you feeling crumpled?

Sometimes the pressure we feel comes from life, sometimes we bring it on ourselves...like the little bird i saw just after returning to the coast. This little bird walked across 3 lanes of traffic at a busy roundabout! crazy bird! His (or her) little legs were moving flat out to accomplish the tremendous task. He made it - just.

Do you ever feel like you 'just make it' through situations or circumstances or commitments for the year? Do you feel like you are running flat out to get stuff done? Then right in the middle of it you might explode with the pressure or feel crumpled at the end?

Id really like to encourage you to think about next year and how much you will be running around like the little bird. Consider the commitments you are making, whether they really are things that fit your gifts and talents and passion, or what other areas might be better.

It was a noble cause for the little bird to undertake crossing the road, but he was designed to fly and he would have made it much easier for himself if he chose that option. So if you get to choose, take the pressure off and think and pray about what you commit to for next year.

And if you don't get to choose, if tomorrow or next year will be hard going, if you will be pressured on every side, then Ive got a few 'pressure adjusters' for you...

Phil 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

2 Cor 4:7-9 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

So next time you are about to 'hiss' at someone, or are about to crumple under the pressure, try and remember these verses. And look what i found before that first bit..."Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."Phil 4:4-7

Did you notice the unexpected part? the Lord is near! we are not told to chill out on our own or stay strong by our own means. The Lord is near. God is with you!

Take the pressure off, take His Hand.