“But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance” (Rom.5:3, TPT).
“Our pressures.” Does that sound familiar? Been under any pressure lately? Boy, we all know what that feels like. Experiencing pressure is such a part of life on Planet Earth. Pressure to measure up, pressure to conform, pressure to perform, pressure to provide, pressure to fit in, pressure to get everything right, pressure to be strong, pressure to have it all together, pressure to progress; the list goes on and on.
As the Bible acknowledges, there are often both external and internal pressures weighing on us:
“…Our bodies had no rest, but we were oppressed at every turn—conflicts and disputes without, fears and dread within” (2 Cor. 7:5, AMP).
“Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern…Who is weak without my being weak?” (2 Cor. 11:28-29, NASB).
As if external pressures weren’t enough, we humans often end up putting all sorts of pressure on ourselves. Even the amazing Apostle Paul freely acknowledged living under an extraordinary amount of both external and internal strain. Can anything good come from so much pressure?
Diamonds. Did you know that it takes Continue reading Pressure and Heat
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