Under pressure I am standing
But I don’t know how long it’ll last
Under pressure, I am flailing
While life is hitting so hard
Under pressure I am seeing
But not so clear, not that far
Under pressure I am caving
Surrender, cheaper than resistance
Under pressure, still I must face truth
No matter how hard or high it seems.

I had to work excess hours to get a much needed audit out of the way. At the end, I wanted the time not the money and I shared that with my Supervisor. Being a nice guy and having seen the sacrifice that went into it, he had no problem with that. His boss had no problem with it either because he witnessed some of what went into meeting a very tight deadline. Well someone didn’t agree and there went that little time I was hoping for recouping. I was not only disappointed, I was deflated and with me, that comes with attitude.

I was sitting on my desk, quietly brimming in the stew of this disappointment when God’s voice came across: “It’s okay. Don’t take this to heart. It would have been nice if you got the time but it’s also okay if you don’t. It is not a right you can claim. You chose to make the sacrifice, they can choose to let you or not and whatever they have chosen is okay. And you know what? If you need time out: go for it. Let that one go: it’s not that big of a deal.” Hmmm . . ., thinking through those words that obviously didn’t come from my disappointed self, clouds cleared and it dawned: it really isn’t that big of a deal anyways.

In the heat of the moment, things appear more complex than they truly are. At such times, we may be tempted to regret a good deed, to refrain from doing more because it isn’t appreciated or just act without thinking. Yet, that is the time to listen to that small voice inside: it never leads us astray. All the disappointment and tension eased with those words of encouragement and I relaxed.

What is the pressure point in your heart right now and what is pumping it? Before you jump, just step aside for a while. Even if you don’t hear that small voice, look at it another way, talk to someone about it – you’ll be amazed how the pressure eases and that giant shrinks into “No big deal after all.” Don’t let the pressure of the moment push you into regrettable attitude and actions. Be guided – life is so much more than that puzzle piece that seems not to fall in place. And be encouraged, “It’s not that big of a deal after all.”

Blessings

Glory!