Issue 763 – Under Pressure – June 2, 2022
Stress, tension and pressure are things that all of us have experienced. Sometimes, even those words are enough to make our hearts beat faster and our palms sweat.
We think of stress and pressure as very negative things, yet they don’t have to be. Stress, tension and pressure are forces that make the world work.
Atoms hold together because of the stress and pressure of varying magnetic forces within them. Our galaxy and the billions like it would collapse without centrifugal force and gravity.
A nail doesn’t hold anything until it is hammered into something. A screw must bite with its threads to hold anything. A staple must have its ends bent to hold paper together. A pushpin or tack must be forced into place to grab. A clothespin holds clothing up because of the pressure exerted by the spring.
Stress, pressure and tension are all around us.
Even our relationships with others and our daily lives are typically described with terms that have forces and stresses as inherent factors. We fall in love. We are repulsed by something. We are attracted to someone. We need a kick start in the morning. We hold on for dear life. We can hardly contain our joy. We’re so angry we could burst.
Overriding all these things is the force that holds everything together. Sorry guys, but that force is not duct tape. Duct tape has its uses, but only God ultimately holds everything together.
The Lord is not an impersonal force but a loving God intimately involved with His creation. If we were to withdraw His presence and influence, no amount of pressure could hold the universe together. No amount of nails, screws, glue, duct tape or atomic energy would be enough to keep it all from collapsing.
The Lord designed his creation, including you and me, to handle a certain amount of stress, tension and pressure. We often take on more of them than He designed us to handle. When that happens, we often turn to tools and coping strategies of our own making to hold it all together.
All the self-help methods and books can only take us part way. Sooner or later, we have to look outside ourselves. All of our self-designed coping skills and techniques will eventually fail us and let us down.
King David stumbled and fell often, but he knew where to turn for refuge when things got too hard to handle. We would be wise to listen to what David has to say.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:5-8
As you face the struggles of life, are you relying on self-made tools, or do you trust in the power of God to get you through?
Until next time, may you trust in the One who truly holds all things together. May you walk in the presence of God.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
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