All of us face different pressures (some great and some small) all throughout our lives. Sometimes it is a result of relationships or the result of a job (or lack thereof). Sometimes it is a result of family and sometimes it is the result of just living life.
Pressure is an inevitable part of life.
The question is: How do we find rest during times of pressure?
4 ways to find rest during times of pressure
1. Remain in God.
Our natural inclination is to freak out or to try to run away from our pressures but we must remain connected to the Living God. Jesus said that we can nothing apart from Him (John 15:5). We must remain in Him. We need to lay our pressures and stresses before the feet of God. God promises that if we remain in Him He will give us the strength to persevere (Isaiah 40:31).
2. Acknowledge reality.
A lot of times we try to deny our reality in times of pressure but we need to acknowledge it. Many people in the Bible acknowledged reality (i.e. Job, David, Moses, Jesus). They didn’t pretend that their situation was better than it actually was. They accepted the reality of their situation. We need to allow ourselves to feel the full reality of our situation. Sometimes it is not a pretty picture but we need to accept it and bring it to God.
3. Seek wise counsel.
To make right decisions we need to invite others into the process. Most people would not be in the mess that they are in if they had got wise counsel. We need that outside perspective. Most of the time we choose people who will tell us what we want to hear but we have to find people who are further down the road than us to lead us and guide us. We need to find people who will speak the truth in love to us.
4. Wait for God’s deliverance.
This is a tough one. If you are anything like me, you hate waiting! We are not a patient people. We want the pressure to be gone NOW! We need to trust that God will deliver us in HIS timing! Sometimes, actually most times, deliverance doesn’t happen overnight. It happens a little bit at a time. We have to remember that waiting is not doing nothing; it is allowing our soul to grow up. Waiting is the foundation of the Christian life. God is waiting for us to wait on Him!
How do you find rest during times of pressure? What pressures/stresses do you need to give over to God right now?
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength …” Isaiah 30:15
For me the best thing to do is always push through a problem. Regardless of how long it will take to get through and on the otherside, as long as I know in my heart I’m doing everything I can to make progress and not hiding from the problem, I have no trouble sleeping at night.
marquita herald recently posted…What Would You Miss if You Could Not Read or Write?
Persistence is definitely a key.
Thanks for sharing Marty!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Favourite Links Friday: 7 fantastic posts to check out
Kevin,
Your post includes much food for thought. Sometimes it helps me to simply say to myself, “It is what it is.” I have been through worse times — and survived! Remember the old song, “Que sera, sera.” Also, “Let go and let God.”
The Serenity prayer is also a good affirmation. The theologian Reinhold Niebuhr is credited for the prayer:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Many a wayward soul has been comforted by that prayer.
One of my own personal sayings is, “Worry is the price we pay for something we not even get.”
Great thoughts Buddy!
Thanks for sharing.
Kevin Martineau recently posted…A love letter
This is really worth it to read. I actually need those ways because i always encounter pressure in everything i do. Very helpful article.
We all face pressure whether we want to or not. It is how we deal with pressure that is important.
Thanks for sharing Mika!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Valentine’s Day reflection: God’s love never fails!
#4 is definitely the hardest because everything within you (especially as a man) is saying “DO SOMETHING!” It’s very true though: those who actively wait on the Lord will renew their strength, mounting up with wings like an eagle. Great reminder, Kevin. Thanks.
Jason Stasyszen recently posted…Being Ill with Want
Yep, I hear you about #4!
Thanks for sharing Jason!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Love is a commitment
For me it is the time with God and wise counsel. My wife is also a great help to me. Do not know what I would do wothout her in my life.
My wife is a great help to me too!
Praise God for His incredible blessings!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…What are your core values?
Found your blog through Jason’s.
I like this post. It reminds me to daily grow in my walk with God, that way, when times do get tough I can simply rest in him.
That’s a great point TC. When we are growing and active in our walk with God it will be “easier” to find our rest in Him during times of trials.
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Spiritual growth is proven more by behaviour than by beliefs
Excellent advice that is a welcomed reminder. I love the 23rd Psalm, who doesn’t right? I use it as God’s reminder that, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me.”
God doesn’t send us around the valley, He sends us through it. How can His name and power be demonstrated in our lives if we’re sitting on the couch in the middle of the Garden Of Eden?
The biggest miracles have a common denominator; we need God. The toughest times are when God shows His omnipotent power if we follow the Biblical guidelines you’ve laid out here.
Followed Jason over, glad I did.
floyd recently posted…“SOUND THE ALARM”!
Awesome thoughts Floyd!
You are right, we can’t see the true power of God in our lives when we are sitting on the couch. God uses the trials to refine us and to remind us of who He is.
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Favourite Links Friday: 7 fantastic posts to check out
Some great advice here. In this pressure cooker world, we need reality checks! Waiting for God’s deliverance is my toughest area…
Thanks David! Reality checks are definitely a good thing.
Kevin Martineau recently posted…8 practical ways to practice patience
I love your encouragement to be honest about our thoughts and feelings. You’re so right that the men and women close to God poured out all their feelings before Him. And then to wait…what a challenge. I’ve found that even 5 minutes of meditation helps me wait.
Steve-Personal Success Factors recently posted…Little Known Ways to Live Life Beyond Success
Waiting is definitely one of the hardest parts for me too.
Thanks for sharing Steve!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Spiritual growth is not automatic – it is intentional
There are no shortcuts, are there? Much as we wish there were… :/
No there are not but we can always be confident that God is with us no matter what we are going through!
Thanks for sharing Kathleen.
Kevin Martineau recently posted…God is closer than you think