Pressure is a Privilege

The guest speaker on Sunday said, “Pressure is a privilege.” That got my attention.  What?!  Is pressure really a privilege?  Pressure causes stress.  Stress can be debilitating both physically and mentally. Pressure is synonymous with anxiety, burden, and difficulty—three words hardly appealing. So, how in the world is pressure a privilege?

​Meditation
Philippians 1:22-24--Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose.  I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10--But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.  So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
 
These two passages give us some insightful thoughts on pressure. It is helpful to frame tension from a heavenly perspective. Whatever heavily weighs upon us is counterbalanced by heaven’s agenda. We serve Christ. It is all good if we are afflicted because we are serving Him. Earth’s pain is temporary. In heaven, we will be eternally rewarded for godly endurance.
           
We may value pressure because Christ’s strength compensates for our weakness. What the world throws at us is easily handled by God and, contrary to human wisdom, can make us stronger. 
           
We can do two things under pressure. We can attempt to weather the storm on our own, but that often contributes to increased frustration, anger, fear, blaming, or pride if we think we solved whatever burdened us. If we lean on the Lord for help and trust Him, it helps our prayer life, enhances humility, and serves as an example for others who may be discouraged by their struggles.
           
It is also essential to ensure we have the proper perspective towards pressure.  Damian Lillard, a professional basketball guard for the Portland Trailblazers, astutely noted, “Pressure is the single mom who is trying to scuffle and pay her rent. We get paid a lot of money to play a game. Don't get me wrong: there are challenges. But to call it pressure is almost an insult to regular people.” 
 
Inspiration
When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.—Peter Marshall
 
©2023 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you want to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)