Do you ever feel like you’re living life inside a pressure cooker?  That’s where the heat gets turned up and you feel trapped inside with no sign of escape.  We have the burden of schedules, deadlines, people’s expectations, our expectations, and on and on the list goes.  Sometimes we feel like if one more thing gets placed on our ‘To do’ list we are going to explode.  You know the old saying, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”?  But what should we do if we can’t leave the kitchen? Sometimes we can’t walk away from what’s in front of us.  What then?

First, we need to stop and reflect.  Remember the times in our past when we thought there was no way we were ever going to get through a particular trial, but amazingly, we did.  In Psalms 103:2 David tells himself, “Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things He does for me.” We can stop and consider all the ways God has helped us in the past.  Think of the times He has protected us, healed us, or gave us just the right words at just the right time.  We’re definitely going to need strength for this journey through life.  Psalm 77:12 says, “I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”

Also, we can be sure the pressure will make us stronger.  And strength is a trait most of us want.  From James 1:3-5 “…you know that the testing of your faith develops endurance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”  Meditate on this phrase…not lacking anything.  Not lacking ANYTHING. Let’s grab on to that.  Because in those three words we can find peace, joy, strength, and hope.