When you feel pressure
December 26, 2011 | Encouragement for Today, Faith: Knowing Christ, Feelings: Intentional freedom
If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome!
It’s the day after Christmas. My house looks like a bomb exploded . . . and I love it, because that means my home has been filled with my children, their spouses, and my three grandbabies (all under the age of 17 months).
I couldn’t help but think about that moment I shared in the devo. The moment I had no strength as my young children ran up the steep path without me. I had no idea what the future held, or if I’d ever be myself again.
But that leads to my promise I made to you today in the devo: to share three principles that can help you when you feel under pressure.
So what can we do?
One. . . hold tight.
Hold tight to God. He’s your anchor in those pressure-laden times. He’s unchangeable. He’s your shelter. Your comfort. His love for you doesn’t rise and fall. It’s permanent.
Two, breathe.
Take a moment and allow God to fill those weary, fear-filled places. He promises us rest. He asks us to find still moments where His presence can produce rest and peace–even in the pressured parts of our lives.
Three. . . see beyond today but enjoy the miracles of today.
When I was in the midst of treatment (and uncertainty and fear), I had no idea what the future held. But I also didn’t want to miss the miracles of that day.
Pressure can cause you to lose sight of the miracles around you–even in the midst of pressure. I couldn’t walk up that path that day, but I could hear my children’s laughter. I could see the beauty of the park. I could feel the sun playing on my face.
I don’t want pressure to distract me from what I do have, to rob me of the moments of joy God is trying to give me.
Today, if you are facing pressure, I get it. I really do, and I’d love to pray with you, to believe with you as you hold tight, as you breathe, and as you begin to search for the miracles in today.
But I pray that you’ll also realize that tomorrow will come, and you’ll emerge stronger and more aware than ever of a God who is with you, who loves you in those pressure packed moments.
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Suzie, please pray for me. My husband has announced that he will leave us after the first of the year. We have been in marriage counseling for a year. He says he has lost all passion for me in the relationship and wants to find out if we are better apart than together. We have 2 daughters, ages 21 (college junior) and 16, who only know that their parents have been in marriage counseling. He has over the past year, asked me for open marriage (I said no) asked me to let him live in my parents’ house which I have inherited (I said no), persisted in trying to start a massage therapy business but not really working at it, having undraped massages himself, letting an unlicensed 24 year old massage therapist use his office, and persuing “friendships” with young, scantily clad waitresses at a Twin Peaks restaurant. Spending 2000 on a dirt motorcycle for himself (he is 50) All of this screams mid life crisis to me…and now there’s nothing I can do to fix it. He says he just doesn’t value my opinions on things and he doesn’t want to be with someone like me anymore. Then he says, hey let’s go to Sunday night service and take communion. So I am bracing myself for the inevitable…saw a divorce attorney to protect myself and my daughters. Trying to find the miracle in each day. Loving those girls with all my heart. Yet my heart is breaking for the demise of my little family. Just pray, please pray for a miracle from God.
December 26th, 2011 at 11:44 am@ Evalyn who wrote of her marriage troubles-I prayed God’s peace on u just now. May u feel God holding u as u walk through.this difficult experience.
December 26th, 2011 at 1:00 pmI would appreciate prayer for my health & for my husband who is harboring bitterness against a family member-this is causing me lots of heartache. Thank u for the devo it was just what I needed as I go through my own health struggles.
~ Blessings~
Suzue, Thank you so much for your devo today. I have been living with a “pressure” in my life for over a year. I just had another disappointment just before reading your devo. Your devo reminded me again what I need to do. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I know this “pressure” will pass…one day…but I am so tired and weary. Please pray for me.
December 26th, 2011 at 1:01 pmEvalyn – I just prayed for you. God bless you and your family.
December 26th, 2011 at 1:02 pmSuzie,
December 26th, 2011 at 3:38 pmThank you for the devotional today. I am just finishing up a year long cancer battle. Surgery followed by 6 months of chemo and a month and a half of radiation has left me feeling drained emotionaly and physically. I have continually found strength with Christ. I marvel at his ways of bringing me comfort such as your devotional.
I have just prayed for you, Evalyn.
I too am hurting, heartbroken, but finding the power of God holding me up to get through this storm, until He changes things. Somedays, I think that I can’t go on, but in His strength I do. I meditate on The Holy Scriptures and pray a lot!
I know that God is able, He is the God of all flesh! Jer. 32:27, I love to pray The Scriptures to God, because His Word does not return to Him void! I meditate often on Psalm 37:1-11
I have a prodigal daughter, and she is with child. Our first grandchild. She married an unsaved man and now she does not allow us to see her, talk to her, or Any contact at all. My heart breaks. We love her so much. Our son is an ex prodigal, yet still struggling in His Spiritual walk, being sucked in by his prodigal sister to a point of danger. It hurts to be so dishonored, but even more to see them Dishonor God’s Word.
I continue to look to The Cross, Our Saviour, and Believe that The Good Shepherd will deliver these stray lambs.
The pressure is so powerful at times, but God calls me and I run to Him, fall on my knees and He wipes my tears and gives me help, and says someday this time will end and there will be beauty from ashes. I Must Believe and I say, “help my unbelief” and He will.
December 26th, 2011 at 3:41 pmThank you and bless you for sharing your experiences and knowledge of God in his word.What would be the point of life with out God.In this world torn apart with sin of which we know the effects .I have been encouraged again to turn to God who is our joy .I know the times when I wonder how can I get through this day with yet another pounding headache and fatigue which makes putting one foot in front of the other near impossible ( post encephalitis 27yrs ago i have chronic Fatigue syndrome)There have been many times over the years when I have grieved the life I once had.In the midst of pain and suffering I have known Gods renewing presence and strength.His rich blessing as I have time and time again realised my full dependence on for everything not least of which is hope and salvation.A wonderful Godly husband two beautiful children.Now my children are adults ,my daughter following the ways of the world,I pray that she will again acknowledge God as her Lord.My son so keen for the gospel and serving God is brings such encouragement.We can trust God for the future each step of the way just need to remind ourselves how far he has brought us.I keep reminding my daughter that God loves her.love and prays thank you for your devotions a.nd blog
December 26th, 2011 at 6:11 pmGOD BLESS YOU SUZIE, THANK YOU FOR THAT GREAT MSG ON TODAY’S DEVO, I SO NEEDED TO HEAR THAT TODAY. I PRAY THAT AT THIS MOMENT GOD KEEP GIVING YOU THE STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH YOUR HEALTH ISSUES, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REQUEST A PRAYER FOR MY FAMILY AND ME, I HAVE A VERY STUBBORN 17YR OLD SON THATS CAUSING ME ALOT OF PAIN, MY MARRIAGE IS AT RISK OF DIVORCE AND I WANT ALL 4 OF US TO WORK THROUGH THIS BUT WITHOUT GOD WE CANT PLEASE PRAY THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER IN AGREEMENT TO ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS, AGAIN I THANK YOU AND MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS
December 27th, 2011 at 11:46 amI have a 10 year old daughter who does not want her dad and I to show any affection, go anywhere alone or be alone without her. She thinks I love her dad more than I love her and I have tried to explain marriage and love to her but I am missing the mark somehow. I want to be married and stay married to the man I met over 20 years ago and I want to help my young daughter to know what true love is in a marriage. Just looking for some direction
December 27th, 2011 at 7:47 pmEvalyn, I am praying for you and your family to be repaired and praying for God to hold you close through this time, love coming from me to you sister in Christ!!
December 29th, 2011 at 12:52 pmThank you Suzie for this devotional. I too have so much stress & health issues, it is really overwhelming. I needed to read this today & every day if that’s what it takes.
December 30th, 2011 at 10:42 amEvalyn…I will pray for you as soon as I post this message…also praying for LRF, Melissa S.,Nancy S., Debbie, Bronwyn,MARIA TORRES & Gail Steele. May God Bless each of you.