I honestly don’t know how to talk about what I should be talking about this week. I’ve started this blog way too many times only to delete my words. The events of last week both in our country and Spain have been horrifying to see. Each day, I find myself a bit reticent to read the news of the previous night. What’s next?
Our country feels like a pressure cooker. A pressure cooker is an airtight cookware used for quick cooking or preserving of foods by means of high-temperature steam under pressure. Once water boils, it will stay at the same temperature. As water evaporates and become steam, it also is the same temperature. The only way to make steam hotter is to put the system under pressure. That’s what a pressure cooker does. If the pressure cooker fails to release, the built up pressure could explode causing serious damage.
We are living in pressure cooker times. It’s hard not to be fearful of what could happen next. How shall we live our lives during these pressurized days?
I’m not going to protest, because that’s not me. I’m not going to make waves about what should and shouldn’t happen, because that’s not me either. But, what I can do is draw people to my God. My God gives perspective. My God loves all people perfectly. My God has wisdom on how each of us can make a difference:
How do we deal with those we don’t like? “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Mathew 5:44
How do we care for those that are hurting? “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”Colossians 3:12
How do we practice peace with those in my world? “Let us therefore make ever effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19
How do we communicate with others about issues? “A man of knowledge uses word with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 17:27
How do we respond to people who feel differently about things? “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
How do we treat people? “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
How do we look toward the future? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”Deuteronomy 31:6
Stop the pressure cooker. God’s word instructs us to live differently. Do you know what blows me away even more? God loves when we look to Him for help!
Practice: As you start this day, pick one or two verses that YOU would like to make a reality in your life today. Ask God for help in this journey to look more and more like Him.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I had the Lord reveal a pressure cooker lesson to me also a year or so ago. It's just what you said if the steam isn't released it will explode and cause damage. He showed me if you stay steady like the pressure cooker does when it's slowly reaching an even temperature then the end results will be wonderful. You use raw meats in a pressure cooker and they don't look very appetizing but when it's cooked at a steady even temperature without exploding it gives you the most succulent meal. The same with the anger in our lives. If we live for the Lord and don't let anger cause an explosion the end result will be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog you've shared Nancy. Thank you.