Who are You When Under Pressure?

“Out of my distress, I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:5-6 ESV

“Wealth without work.
Pleasure without conscience.
Knowledge without character.
Commerce without morality.
Science without humanity.
Worship without sacrifice.
Politics without principle.”
From a sermon given by Frederick Lewis Donaldson in Westminster Abbey, London, on March 20, 1925.”

We know Christ’s character. Pressure shows us ours. Pressure shows us Christ’s.  

Being kind, generous, understanding, grateful, and pleasant is easy when all is good with my life. That’s not the true Black Sheep Babz picture. Not by a long shot! My problems and character are nothing compared to the description of Jesus’ character. Broke? I become stingier, forgetting that God supplies all my needs. Lonely? He’s always with me, but I demand the feelings of his presence. Criticized? Here comes bitterness focused on the criticizer. Pressure at work? Blame, blame, worry and control. Watching the news in fear and resentment, forgetting who’s really in charge, is a constant battle.

When grieving the loss of my husband, there was no relief, hope was extinguished, isolation and destructive behaviors multiplied. There was no comfort in knowing Christ grieved. The concept of Christ being the resurrection and the life was not grasped. This was the greatest pressure of my life. The pain seemed to last an eternity. Quick fixes were abundant, with no true healing.

 What was or is your Waterloo? Achilles heel? In hindsight, can you see where Christ bore the pressure with compassion?

Musings

Who am I under pressure? I’m Peter, looking at the waves in the middle of the storm and crying, “Help me!” Sometimes I’m Doubting Thomas praying, “I believe, help my unbelief!”  Sometimes I’m the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well, skirting hard-to-face truths about myself. Sometimes I’m Pilate asking, “What is truth?” Sometimes I’ve grieved deeply with no hope, like Martha and Mary when Lazarus died. Sometimes I’ve sold out for money. Sometimes I’ve cast my pearls before swine. Sometimes I’ve sown seed in harsh and rocky ground. All under pressure. Thank God for grace. Thank God His mercies are new every morning.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you that we “vessels of clay” have the honor and privilege to “cast all our cares” on you. Jesus demonstrated his love many times in scripture, from washing dirty feet to the most shameful and painful death. All under unfathomable pressure. He did this so we can walk in newness of life and to share His life with others.

Amen.