Quotes about Pressure

I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.

The first, stress, gets a stranglehold on us when we move through life feeling like everything (every decision, every answer, every provision, every protection) rests on our shoulders.

Jesus is there in the midst of the pressure with us, and He's not just standing around with His hands in His pockets. He's there to rescue us when necessary, to protect us at all costs, and to fill our cups to overflowing. We don't need to watch over our shoulders anymore. God prepares a table for us in the midst of our enemies. Jesus is watching them, guarding us, so we can keep our attention fully fixed on the face of the Good Shepherd—Jesus, our Savior.

Sometimes we are afraid because success puts pressure on us to continue to succeed.

I'd learned my default mode was to perform. Even in small groups I feel like I have to be "on." But when I'm alone my energy comes back. When I'm alone I don't have to perform for anybody.

I realized that for years I'd thought of love as something that would complete me, make all my troubles go away. I worshipped at the altar of romantic completion. And it had cost me, plenty of times. And it had cost me most of the girls I'd dated, too, because I wanted them to be something they weren't. It's too much pressure to put on a person.

Maybe it's because spiritual growth and vibrant faith in God don't happen in isolation, but under pressure.

The biblical way to be preserved is to be pressed. And being pressed can certainly feel like being crushed.

I tried to prop up what was left of me so I wouldn't collapse into the broken place inside. Good grades. Achievements and accolades. Fun friends and good times. Boys who made me feel special. I tried to steady myself with anything that helped me feel better.

Unrealistic demands lead to undercurrents of failure.

My soul just can't do life at the speed of smartphones. But I was asking it to; everybody's asking theirs to.

We're all living in the shadow of that infamous icon, "The Proverbs 31 Woman," whose life is so busy I wonder, when does she have time for friendships, for taking walks, or reading good books? Her light never goes out at night? When does she have sex? Somehow she has sanctified the shame most women live under, biblical proof that yet again we don't measure up. Is that supposed to be godly—that sense that you are a failure as a woman?