Pressure

When I call, answer me, 

O God of my righteousness: 

in pressure You have enlarged me; 

be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1

For the most part, spiritual growth and maturity 

occur in the middle of pressure.

I am recognizing the need once again 

to submit to the pressure in my life 

and allow God to enlarge me in the midst of it.

There are two kinds of pressures working together:

the pressure being directly applied to me

and pressure involving those that I love.

I have to understand that God has allowed both. 

I am good at crying out for Him to release the pressure;

I am not as good at asking Him to use it to change me.

It really is about being conformed into His image.

God knows what it takes to work

maturity and Christ-likeness into me.


Pressure is a gift. It helps me grow up. 


It causes me to be enlarged, transformed. 


I can talk negatively about it, 

run away from it or embrace it. 

Don’t run from tests and hardships. 

Consider it a sheer gift when they come friends. 

Your faith will blossom under pressure 

and teach you true patience as you endure. 

True patience equips you to complete the journey

and cross the finish line—

mature, complete, and wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4

In pressure You have enlarged me; 

be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

Lord, have mercy.