When I think of pressure, I imagine a strained pipe about to burst from combustion of liquid. Pressure pipes are specifically manufactured from PVC resin compounded with stabilisers, lubricants and pigments. They are built to withstand the pressure that comes through these pipes, predominately water. In the piping industry it’s vital to have the right pipe for the right environment. Placing a non-PVC pipe underground for water irrigation is not going to last long once the pressure goes through.
We are also built to withstand the pressure of life, God created each and every one of our beings with pressure pipes that can cope with daily situations. God knows exactly how much we can handle in our pipes, that is why each of our pressure pipes come in different shapes and sizes. We all handle pressure in different ways and with experience comes growth, with growth comes an upgrade in our pressure pipe size!
If we are not seeing growth from overcoming pressures then we need to seek some guidance from our manufacturers guide, the Bible. There are so many stories and advice in this guide that has helped me in certain situations.
I recently studied part time while working a full-time job and for those that make it look so easy, it wasn’t for me. The stress that I may not pass was over whelming. I was unmotivated most of the time which effected my work. In turn, I wouldn’t only be letting my employer down but most importantly my family, not to mention I was planning my wedding the same year. It would be safe to say my pressure pipes were beginning to falter, leaks were present, and I was at a stage they call “High Water Pressure” my gauge was long overdue for a test.
Do you ever have seasons where it’s all stress free and the next season the stress decides to come all at once as if to make up the time it lost last season? Yup, that was exactly my situation.
We seem to look at pressure as a stumbling block in our journey, rather than a blessing in disguise. With the on-going encouragement from my partner, praying and studying profusely before the two exam dates. We passed! I say ‘we’ because it wasn’t just me that got me to that result, but it was a team of people.
Who are you surrounding yourself with in these moments of pressure?
Pressure pipes are just an illustration of what God can do with us, but in order to see Him use us more and more, we need to grow under pressure.
AUTHOR: Janice Tuuina, attends Church in the Fields (CITF) in the Greater Sydney Conference.