Mastering the Art of Handling Pressure

Hello Friends,

Welcome back on another journey towards a Steady Mind.

Just a few days ago, I sat in my car feeling overwhelmed as if everything was coming at me all at once. Deadlines were quickly approaching, expectations were rising, the bar was elevated and I was miles away from accomplishing anything I set out to do.

We all face moments where pressure feels unbearable - when personal and external demands cloud our focus and hope seems distant. Life has its challenges, that's what makes us human in nature.

But how we handle that weight can either break us or help us shine. Even when pressure makes us feel alone, there are ways to rise above it. Here are three approaches to help you overcome.

Art Form One: Praying

Often, pressure is necessary (hard pill to swallow, I know). God uses it to forge one of the best traits within us: total dependence on Him. James reminds us that when we are under pressure our level of faith is forced to show it's true colors and through that pressure, we are matured and well-developed (James 1:3-4).

As believers, our posture should remain in faith that through His grace, God is able to bring us to the other side of any obstacle, fully refined, pure as gold. Pressures should push you to prayer. Jesus taught us to come to Him when we have heavy loads and He will give us rest. He then makes a trade, giving us His lighter load and taking on our heavier burdens (Matthew 11:29-30).

Through the Art of Prayer, you'd realize that God is strong enough to handle your pressures, and... He desires to!

Art Form Two: Planning

We've all heard the phrase, "Failing to plan is planning to fail." In my moment of self-pity, one of my best friends persuaded me to list every task and emotion that was causing me stress. I then understood that it was the idea of everything needing to be done that overwhelmed me, not the actual execution.

Most times, we just need to write the vision down and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2). Doing so helps you understand that the true stress comes from disorganized thoughts. By setting achievable goals within a reasonable time frame, the burden is lightened, and it becomes evident that your objectives are attainable.

Your days won't seem insufficient if you keep in mind that Rome wasn't built in one. Be patient with yourself, show yourself grace, and remember that consistency is key.

Art Form Three: Prioritizing

In this time of prayer and planning, I came to the realization that my mind was overloaded. Although focusing on the future is beneficial, it often distracts us from the present's significance. Understanding which goals and tasks should be prioritized can significantly ease pressure. Jesus reminds us that worrying cannot add a single hour to our lives (Luke 12:25-26).

Determine what can be accomplished today and which goals or tasks should be initiated, then concentrate on those. What isn't a priority in these areas shouldn't occupy your mind. Whether scheduled for today or next week, remember that we can achieve all things through Christ who provides strength.

When you understand that you are only accountable for what God has empowered you to accomplish, you'll gain a clearer insight into what should be prioritized by you and what should be entrusted to God.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dealing with pressure doesn't need to be a burdensome task. Jesus experienced the most intense pressure of His life in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His approach involved: praying to His Father (Matt. 26:36), planning the moment by being open about what was on His heart (Matt. 26:38), and prioritizing God's will over His own (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44).

May you spend your days trampling over the pressures of life through prayer, planning and prioritization.

Here's to a Steady Mind!