Recently, within a matter of a week…

I encountered three separate and unrelated situations in my life that brought with them incredible pressure, stress and anxiety. Thankfully, nothing life shattering or life-threatening, but nonetheless circumstances which threw me into the pressure cooker of life.

Now, for those of you who had mothers or grandmothers who used to use the old-fashioned pressure cookers (unlike today’s comparatively blissful Instapot), every so often the ratting lid of the cooker could no longer contain the pressure within, and would dramatically and without warning blow. Yep, just spurt up like Old Faithful and coat the ceiling, stove and anything within its path with whatever had been cooking in the pot.  It was literally one big, hot mess.

Welcome to my recent world, friends. Each layer of difficulty has been weighing more and more heavily upon the next, churning and manufacturing internal pressure that caused a mounting sense of sadness, disquiet, discontent, nervousness and anger.  And while I didn’t actually have a full-scale meltdown, my words and attitude began spewing out what was inside – ugly, cruel, unkind, mean-spirited sewage… complete antithesis of the Christlikeness I want to emulate.  I hated what I heard myself saying and feeling.  Regardless of my circumstances, I can choose my responses, and I chose oh-so-badly.

Thankfully, the loved ones around me poured love and grace over me instead of reacting in kind, especially since what had been going on had nothing to do with them. They listened, but also didn’t let me off the hook.  They loved, but gently put a mirror in front of me, so I could see that this was what I looked and sounded like, then reminded me that the woman in the invisible mirror wasn’t who I was or wanted to be.  Then they hugged me and prayed with/for/over me, covering me with healing mercy and understanding.  It gave me breath.

My situations haven’t all resolved themselves yet, but I have a newfound godly grit – stamina to stand firm through the pressure, and renewed strength to choose wisely – to act in a manner that I can be proud of personally, a good example to others, and most importantly reflect the God I love and bring joy and honor to Him.  It ain’t easy for sure, but I will elect to take it, prayerfully, one day, one hour, one minute at a time,

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”  1 Peter 5:7, 10