Sometimes, it feels like the pressure is moving in on all sides.
The high stakes meeting next week has you stressed, working late hours.
You received a call last week about your child struggling in school.
Your annual review is looming, and you’re anxious about what your supervisor will say.
You need to have a hard conversation with a friend whose life is spiraling out of control.
The sales deadline is looming, and you’re working overtime to meet it.
You got in a fight with your spouse this morning, and you need to address it after work.
The HVAC unit in your home has finally given up, and you need to pay a fortune to replace it.
There is a lot of pressure in your life. It can feel like it’s coming at you from all sides—above you, beneath you, and around you—at work, at home, at school, at church, and wherever life has you. It’s immense, and it often feels crushing. But I want to remind you (and me) of something important: Pressure is a privilege.
I know. It sounds simplistic and way too optimistic. You’re probably thinking: Really, Kevin? But hear me out:
If you feel pressure, it means that the things you are doing are meaningful.
If the things you’re doing didn’t matter, there would be no pressure. If the stakes weren’t high and the implications not far reaching, it wouldn’t matter what you did. But because you have important roles and significant work to do, your life comes with pressure.
Here are the facts:
1. You have pressure.
2. Pressure is a privilege.
3. You need to press on.
We find a strong statement in Scripture after Paul was reflecting on a particularly challenging situation in his life and ministry. Paul said it this way, “I press on toward the goal…” (Phil. 3:14).
That’s my encouragement for you today.
Whatever your calling or station in life, press on.
Don’t let the pressures of life stop you from pressing on to the high calling you have on your life.
Remember, pressure is a privilege, so press on.
