If you take a wide look at our world, you can see it: people are worn down. Many are anxious about the future. Even inside the church, you can feel the weight some are carrying. And if you’re honest, you probably feel some of it yourself.
So let me ask you a simple question:
How much pressure are you feeling right now?
Most of us would say the same thing. Stress comes at us from several sides at once. Family. Work. Health. The church. The constant tug of spiritual battles. Life can get heavy.
But here’s the good news: not all pressure is bad.
Some of it is actually a gift from God.
The Pressure That Helps You Grow
Scripture shows this kind of healthy pressure in Paul’s life. In 2 Corinthians 11:28-29, he speaks of his “daily pressure” on the churches. He felt the weight of their struggles. He cared when someone was drifting. He hurt when someone was weak. That kind of concern is not destructive. It comes from love.
There is also the pressure that helps us reflect and change. 2 Corinthians 13:5 calls us to examine ourselves. That kind of reflection can make you uncomfortable. But that discomfort can push you toward holiness. It can bring clarity. It can reveal where you need God’s help.
This is the kind of stress that strengthens you.
It pushes you toward prayer.
It keeps your heart soft.
It stirs your desire to grow.
God Works Through Your Effort
Paul says in Philippians 2:12-13 that we “work out” our salvation while God works within us. That means your effort matters. Your choices matter. And the pressure you feel at times can be the very thing that keeps you moving forward.
So take a moment and think about your own life.
Where do you sense God nudging you?
What needs attention?
What step is He calling you to take next?
Don’t be afraid of that feeling.
Let it move you toward Him.
Keep Growing
Peter closes his second letter with these words:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Growth is the goal. Not perfection. Not performance.
Growth.
And God gives you everything you need for it.
So if you’re feeling stretched today, take heart. Pressure can crush you, but it can also shape you. Let God use it to build your faith, deepen your commitment, and move you one step closer to the likeness of Christ.
You’re not walking through this alone. And the Lord who began His work in you will finish it.
Keep going.
Most people pull away instead of pushing more toward God n blame God for what is happening