Sometimes we feel the pressure of life, and challenges abound. We should ways realise that pressure in itself is not a bad thing. In fact, we can use it to our advantage.
We generally come under pressure when we have reached our capacity, or we face issues that are unusual and challenging.
Again, this is, in many cases, fine. It can be stressful, but it indicates our limitations, or areas of our life that need to be built up, reenforced, or redefined.
There are situations that no one is prepared for, but what about those issues that are recurring? How do we deal with them in the future?
Respond or react?
We all react or respond to pressure in different ways. We can add to the discomfort of stress if we go into panic mode. We’ve all done it. Our reactions can increase the stress levels. Trying to stay calm under pressure isn’t always easy, but it will assist in regaining control of the situation.
If we can learn to harness pressure and use it to our advantage we will actually discover that it is the wind that drives our sails. All forward motion requires energy and thrust.
Sir Isaac Newton discovered that ‘an object will not change its motion unless a force acts on it.’ He also worked out that ‘the force on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration.’ In other words, without applied power or energy movement is not possible.
Just as a yachtsman learns how to harness the power of the wind and ocean to drive his vessel in the right direction, so we can learn to use those powerful forces of life to move us quickly form one position to another.
The Apostle James looked at it in another way, speaking about the power of the tongue to influence situations. “How do we control the tongue?” he asked. “The tongue is a fire!” With it we curse and bless, even in the same breath.
Control
He compared it to using the bridle and bit used to steer a horse. The rider has to learn how to work with the superior power and energy of the horse, and he does so, most of the time, through a simple harness that controls the mouth and head of a horse.
This takes discipline and application. It doesn’t happen overnight. We may have to put some time into dealing with those pressure points in such a way that we use them to our advantage and learn how to turn pressure into power.
Just like that faucet and washer that helps a water tap operate efficiently to provide the exact amount of water pressure we need at any given time, or like a surfer learns how to adapt to the power of a wave, we can take our pressure points and use them to press on.
So, how do we control the recurring pressure that will inevitably come our way? We learn to master it. We harness its power. This takes discipline and commitment. A sailor looks at his surroundings and finds ways of using the wind that drives his sails. It comes from training and practice. It comes from asking others with experience for help. It comes from, yes, making mistakes at times. It comes from application of resources to maintaining equilibrium.
It comes from patience and the will to succeed.
Image credit: jplenio for pixabay
