I love science! When I think of pressure my mind begins to explore, gas laws, space and scuba diving, but perhaps the most fascinating application of pressure is the formation of diamonds.
Diamonds start off as ordinary carbon atoms trapped under the earth’s crust. 150 kilometres or more below the surface, this carbon undergoes enormous pressure and very high temperatures (at least 1050 degrees Celsius). All this pressure squashes the carbon atoms into a tetrahedral structure, the structure of diamond! These diamonds are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions where they cool rapidly and begin to glitter.
The difference between us and carbon though, is that contrary to inspirational quotes, after we go through great pressures, we rarely feel like a diamond. After exams, I am usually, sluggish, sleep-deprived and highly unmotivated. Thankfully, exams come and go but what about more intense pressures? What about family pressure, anxiety, depression and the pressures we place on ourselves? What is the purpose of experiencing these serious and seemingly unrelenting pressures?
I don’t buy into the ‘everything happens for a reason’ ideal. Sometimes the reason is that we live in a world of sin and Satan tries his best to hurt us. However, though it might sound cheesy, I really believe that God does bring good out of bad. Sometimes not in an obvious, ‘miracle story’ kind of way. I am referring to the power of empathy. Every time we go through something tough, we broaden our understanding of what others go through. Every time we experience a new pressure, we experience the new emotions that go along with it.
As I approached year 12, I became quite anxious. I had always done well in school but with people painting such a scary picture of my final year, I sent myself into a spin. I had trouble sleeping, was anti-social and lost my enthusiasm for activities which I usually loved. Logically I knew that I would pass year 12 but I felt as though I would fail. Fortunately, I had supportive people around me who helped me overcome my anxiety and I ended up doing well.
I often wondered why God had allowed me to go through that experience. About a year later, I got my answer. I had just started my university degree and in doing so, had reconnected with a childhood friend who was attending the same institution. A few weeks in, it became apparent that my friend wasn’t coping. He was struggling with the workload and for the first time in his life, didn’t have a plan on how to fix the situation. He became very anxious and even depressed. Though my friend had always done well in school, he couldn’t shake the irrational belief that he would fail.
The Bible tells us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (English Standard Version, Galatians 6:2). This is exactly what we did. I listened to my friend, prayed with him and shared my own story with him. I had been through a similar experience and got out the other side. It gave him hope that he wouldn’t always be feeling so down. Because I had endured a similar pressure, I had a better understanding of how my friend felt and how to help him.
When I reflect on all the struggles in my life, I can pinpoint examples where God has given me the opportunity to share my experiences with others. He has brought people into my life whom I can help because I have already been through the pressure which they are going through. God has consistently brought some good out of the bad.
My friend got better. He made some strategic decisions on how to cope with the academic and emotional pressure and is now confident that he is studying something which he loves. He didn’t necessarily feel like a diamond straight away, but like a diamond, the pressure has made him a stronger person. I believe that in the future, he will be able to empathise with and help someone else who is under pressure.
If you’re going through pressure right now, talk about it. There are people around you who want to help. If you’ve been through pressure and have come out the other side, look around. With whom can you empathise?
AUTHOR: Alexandra Tiller, attends Park Ridge Church QLD.