How to Manage Pressure

One only has to take a cursory look around to discover that many people are living under pressure. I don’t believe God wants us to go around looking haggard and glum – like we’re “under pressure”. So what should we do? Paint on a plastic smile and pretend we’re happy?

No, the real answer is to learn how to manage pressure. Understanding what causes pressure in our lives can go a long way to helping us begin to manage that pressure. Here are some powerful perspectives that I believe will help you to thrive in spite of stress…

Realize that Pressure is Nothing Unusual

We can’t pretend that there are no pressures, they are a normal part of life. In fact, ‘life is pressure’ – whether you are a new-born infant or a senior citizen. Actually, a certain amount of pressure and adversity is good and can mold you into being a better person. The Apostle Paul said, ...we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Rom 5:3-5)

Certain pressures are essential for normal physical and emotional development like the intense pressure of the ‘rod of correction’ on the ‘seat of learning’. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. (Pro 22:15) I’ve found that a certain amount of pressure also increases one’s productivity. It’s amazing how much work one can shift before an exam or a deadline. Your attitude to pressure will determine whether you sink or float, whether you crack or conquer. James encourages us to have a positive attitude towards pressure and trials: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance… (Jas 1:2-3)

Accept That Believers Face Additional Pressures

Walking the Christian way and living the Christian life is not a bed of roses. Unfortunately, evangelists sometimes make the mistake of painting too rosy a picture of the Christian life. However, Jesus never made out that the Christian way was easy. He said: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Mat 7:13-14)

Believers face additional pressures because they are in the world, but not of the world. Swimming against the stream is not easy. We are under pressure because although we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom we are presently living behind enemy lines. We are called “peculiar people” and are expected to be non-conformists: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:2) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (Joh 15:19)

Draw on Supernatural Resources

The apostle Paul faced incredible pressure as he served the Lord without compromise. Consider what he wrote in these verses: But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (2Co 4:7-12)

We are always being stretched, pressurized, living outside our comfort zones. Why? So that the life of God may be revealed in our mortal body.

Paul encourages us to have an eternal perspective in order to triumph over our present trials and tribulations. He says, For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2Co 4:17-18)

In 2Co 12:7-10 Paul refers to a thorn in his flesh. Paul pleaded with God three times to sort this out, but God’s answer was… “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”(2Co 12:9)

Forgiveness deals with our negative past, but grace is far more than that, it’s divine enablement for the present calamity and whatever we may face in the future. Those trying circumstances may just be there to get you fueled with divine high octane fuel – the very grace of God!

Apply the Word to Things That Cause Pressure

1. Change

A change of job, school, boss, house, working conditions, church, marital status, health etc. causes stress. The more unexpected the change, the more intense the pressure. Psychologists have evaluated the potential of changes in our life circumstances to induce stress. They found that the most intense on the scale of 1-100 was the sudden death of a spouse. We can sometimes regulate the change, but often we have no control over our circumstances. Unbelievers believe their fortunes are determined by fate, but true believers know the power and nature of God and that their destinies are in the hands of a loving God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

2. People

One inescapable source of pressure in life is people. Some are relaxing and loving, others irritating and exasperating.

A common misconception is that other individuals make or determine one’s spirit. Actually they merely reveal it. If we “walk in the Spirit” other people will not trigger pressure in us. Christians should be better able to cope than unbelievers because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by Holy Spirit. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1Jn 4:16)

3. Loss of Control

Events that are seemingly beyond our control put us under pressure. The disciples experienced loss of control when they hit a storm so furious they thought their boat would sink. Jesus rebuked the storm and then rebuked them for their unbelief. Some of us are under pressure through unbelief. We’re asking, “Where will I get a job, finances, find a mate? Where is God?” As Jesus headed towards his death by crucifixion he said this to his troubled disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (Joh 14:1)

4. No Hope

People who lose their hope can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. This may even lead to suicide. Christians however, are people of hope, if not for this life, certainly for the life to come. Paul contrasts the believer and the unbeliever: ...you were separate from Christ… without hope and without God in the world. (Eph 2:12) ...we do not… grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. (1Th 4:13)

But Paul also prays for believers saying, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13)

5. Guilt

Guilt is the mental, emotional and spiritual pressure that results when a person violates his conscience and the laws of God. The only way to cope with guilt is to face it head on. Ignoring it won’t help. We need to take responsibility for our actions and acknowledge our guilt before God. Only God can take our guilt away. A guilt-ridden David wrote this Psalm: When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah (Psa 32:3-5)

Final Thoughts

I trust that what I’ve shared today will give you a more positive perspective on pressure and will give you some practical tools to manage the stress in your life. May you learn to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1Pe 5:7)

(As a three times cancer survivor I have had to learn how to overcome some additional stress and trauma in my life. I am the author of a book “Going Against Goliath” (How to fight cancer and win)).

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