pressure

Disclaimer—If you don’t believe in the Bible you don’t need to read this paragraph as it won’t make any sense to you, just skip it and go to the next paragraph. Dr J says—"The most important thing about your brain is the thoughts that dominate it. The Bible says, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:5-6 NIV).

Saturday question—How well do you operate under pressure?  Ok, using the scale of 1 to 10, rate yourself. It’s a fact that different people operate under pressure differently. In sports we call people who can operate under pressure, gamers. They love pressure and perform very well under it. And of course, there are others if they are under any pressure just can’t handle it. Just look around folks, it’s not rocket science! JoeFleeflicker says—I don’t think most people like pressure.

I had the opportunity to visit with a very smart person, and we had a discussion about the pressure of temptations and in particular with one temptation that some people have (i.e. his belief). He believes that folks need to fight this temptation and control it and not succumb to it. For some that is a lot of pressure on them. Of course, some do succumb and some don’t succumb. And if they succumb to it but then later on do a180, it’s a great success and blessing. Yes, it is! And some of you have done it! I applaud you!

What kind of pressure does society put on us the most. That pressure might be different for each person I would guess. Dr. J says—"Humility is a decision to listen, not to dominate. To give credit rather than take it. To find a way to serve others. If we practice humility intentionally and humble ourself in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up, and our relationships will be better for it. Faith is better than fame, just as humility is better than pride.”

In the Yakima Valley everything is irrigated from water from the snowmelt of the Cascade Mountains. The annual participation in the Valley is about 8 inches annually (i.e. Yakima is in a desert). The water is retained in reservoirs and then channeled down to the valley as needed by the Titian Yakima Cannel  which is 12 miles long. There are cannels running off of that cannel that run all over the city and the valley which are manmade and mostly old. The water is then pumped by orchardists, ranchers, farmers and homeowners through their irrigation systems. Some areas create other reservoirs that can generate water pressure from gravity. This can create water pressure like up to 60 pounds. They tell me that it takes 2.31 feet of fall for one pound of pressure or called 1 PSI. That is way different than Iowa let me tell ya were ground is patterned title to get rid of excessive moisture.

I am not certain, but it looks to me that financial pressure is a massive huge pressure in America and the world (i.e. maybe the #1 source of pressure to humans). As I have said many times—It’s all about the money; don’t kid yourself. When it comes down to the brass tacks, it’s all about the money. It always has been! As my mentor would say—The world’s golden rule is, whoever has the gold rules the world. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Money is worldly power; don’t kid yourself.

RickyRick says—"Jesus wants us to learn to be gentle and humble because aggression and arrogance are two of the biggest causes of stress and emptiness in life. Aggression is when we don't want to wait for anything, and we over-commit ourselves. It's the opposite of gentleness. Arrogance is when we t ry to control everything. Our ego is responsible for more stress and arrogance in our lives than we realize.”

Another pressure cooker is pressure caused by deterioration of the family which causes problematic family relationships; it can produce very stressful situations due to the breakdown of the family (i.e. it produces many different, stressful family dynamics). Those situations from these family relationships cause a pyramid of problems that are ugly and cause much pressure. Just look around folks. Most don’t have to look around; many have it in their families. It’s just our culture today.

As I see it, youth sports cause a lot of stress for children and parents. I do! It produces an overload of pressure for kids; it’s not always fun and it can be a disaster. Youth sports is a massive huge money maker (i.e. a massive huge business). A grandfather told me that his granddaughter is in 8^th grade and a very good runner. College recruiters are looking at her and following her. She has to run in races all over the country, has too! She has to eat a certain way, train a certain way or they won’t follow her if she doesn’t continue to have good times. She is sick of it. Tired of it to a point she dislikes it. It has changed her life. But isn’t that what kids want and maybe more what their parents want for their kids. A friend told me that he thinks youth sports are ruining our churches (i.e. and he is a very smart person). He thinks youth sports are way more important than going to church on Sunday. That is what he believes. Such is life.

I believe how Keziah says it—"Life today feels like a water current, so swift, loud, and full of interruptions. Digital noise, constant comparison, work and family demands, and the pressure to balance it all leave us adrift, without spiritual direction. Instead, hear David’s invitation: ‘Wait for the LORD, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!’” 

Esther of Grace, who is a talented, local guest writer for It's Saturday, says--I saw a clip of an interview with a well known author who shared a bit on how she writes. What I took from this clip is we write best when we write with no one looking over our shoulder. Don’t worry about what others want or expect from us but use what we have from our positions in the world, from our experiences and our perspectives.  (I’m paraphrasing Barbara Kingsolver in her interview with Jenna Bush Hager) -- The good Lord knew what He was doing when He created each of us. We are individuals. We are unique. We each have a something to share, to offer in this world. -- I hope you have a chance today (and tomorrow, and next week!!) to share a bit of your journey with someone. Your story matters! 

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyDeceasedFriend Jean said--Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once.