“2 Corinthians 4:7–12 ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.’ (vv8–9)”
“Pressure makes its impact on all of us. A great metaphor is a car tyre. Four rubber rings filled with air keep us from disaster over various terrains at differing speeds.
A tyre has inflated air pressure pushing outward to maintain its shape. It also experiences the external pressure exerted by the road surface pushing back and impacting that shape and the tyre’s performance.
Paul, a well-travelled, good-news tyre who experienced every type of road surface, knows well the necessity and reality of resilience; the ability to weather and then bounce back from stressful life experiences.
A worn tyre is likely to burst with possible fatal effect. Therefore, we need to attend to our wellbeing. Are there minor flaws within the tyre wall of our life which, under pressure, will cause us to crash out of the race?
Just as we check the condition and pressure of our car tyres, so it’s good to pay attention to our wellbeing if we are to live every day with Jesus consistently and effectively.
Over this month of May we’ll look at living with pressure as disciples of Christ. It’s not that we won’t experience the challenges of pressure in our lives.
Rather it’s about keeping ourselves on God’s way of salvation and service, and completing our mortal journey effectively.
As with driving, if we anticipate the challenges and the conditions we are driving through, the more likely we are to reach our destination safely.
A Prayer To Make:
‘Lord, help me to recognise that I live under pressure and to learn from You how to run the race to which I have been called. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Are there ways you use to check how well you’re dealing with pressure? What tools do you use, and are they working for you?
Scripture To Consider:
Jonah 1:1–12; Num. 11:4–17; Mark 4:1–20; Jas. 1:12–15
