Pressured!

March 3, 2022

Pressured!

I felt pressured. 

Deep inside I knew I did not want to do what I was being asked.  But, the pressure was unrelenting.  I was told I was stupid if I did not do it.  I was told I was letting fear take over if I did not do it.  I was told I would lose a friend if I did not do it.

It’s hard when a close friend is putting the pressure on you.  I did not have a lot of friends, so I gave in.  I stole a nickel piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum from a drug store not far from where I lived. 

We got away with the heist.  But for weeks, I was convinced the police were going to come to our front door and haul me away to jail.  Regret and fear and shame chased me for months all because I was pressured.

There is another kind of pressure; it comes from inside of us!  I am reminded of the Apostle Peter.  He had been chosen by Jesus to be one of the disciples, he walked on water when everyone else cowered in fear, and he stood up for Jesus when most walked away.

But when Peter feels the pressure mount higher and higher inside, he finally leaves Jesus alone when Jesus needed him most.  Peter denies Jesus on the night Jesus is arrested and thrown in jail.  The inner weakness of Peter is revealed when the pressure mounts.

In Mark 26:60-70 we hear; “Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’  But he denied it before all of them, saying, ‘I do not know what you are talking about.’” 

Jesus dies without the love and support of Peter.  The pressure was too much for Peter to bear so he yields to the fear.

The good news is Peter and you are not destined to live forever with our regrets and shame.  Jesus welcomes Peter back and Jesus welcomes you back, too. 

In John 21:17 we hear; “He (Jesus) said to him (Peter) the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’  Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’  And he said to him, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’”  A relationship strained by pressure is restored by a love that forgives and welcomes back.

We will sometimes yield to the pressures of life.  Remember that Jesus is waiting to forgive you completely, welcome you back, and love you always.  When you know the forgiveness of Jesus, your heart will be filled with delight.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug