EXPOSE | The value of pressure
“No pressure, no diamonds.” – Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher
EXPLORE | A force for good
That would make a great t-shirt, wouldn’t it? Surely something Nike would adopt as a slogan for a commercial.
What almost immediately comes to mind when I hear the word pressure, is the song. Sorry about this, but I’m guessing that for a good number of us simply mentioning the title of the song will mean it’ll be lodged in your head.
Here it goes: Under Pressure. “Pressure… pushing down on me, pressing down on you…” In case you want to blast it for all to enjoy: Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
As you continue to hum the song, I’ll just make the point that: pressure comes for us all, and, it can be quite a force. The Oxford Dictionary defines pressure as “continuous physical force exerted on or against an object…” Though, as Thomas Carlyle points out, when applied appropriately it can yield beautiful things.
To yield something as beautiful as a diamond requires a very specific application of pressure and heat. According to Live Science, it requires pressure of about 725,000 pounds per square inch and heat of around 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. While the Earth produces diamonds naturally, there is a synthetic method of creating diamonds referred to as HPHT (high pressure, high temperature). These two processes, in the right proportions, produce near-flawless beauty. But while we may deeply appreciate the outcome, that kind of pressure and heat makes the means difficult to embrace when it comes to experiencing it first-hand.
However, since it is all but unavoidable, why not intend for it to yield a beautiful, valuable, and long-lasting thing?
God, in His providence, allows “high-pressure, high-temperature” situations, or even seasons, to help guide, prevent, curtail, direct, save, admonish, and, well, accomplish a whole list of good things for us. Even when self-inflicted, it is always a useful tool in the hands of a loving Father.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
“Remaining steadfast” is sometimes misinterpreted as simply enduring or persevering as though we’re to just “outlast the storm.” However, equal to the pressure is the strength and wisdom God provides to walk in conjunction with His purpose to yield the intended outcome. We don’t want to just “grin and bear it”, nor do we want to be so distracted by it we can’t function as we need to.
It doesn’t matter who you are, we have all been in a situation where we act as though we’ve lost all ability to do what we’re expected to do (read: we choke). There was a study done to better understand why we choke under pressure. They found that “squeezing a ball dynamically with the left hand is effective for right-handers to prevent choking.” In other words, they were able to maintain the ability to perform while under pressure by ‘getting a grip’, so to speak.
EXECUTE | Getting a “grip” on our response to pressure
We’ve talked previously about handling anxiety, one of the results of the high pressure, high temperature, situations we face. But what might we ‘grab ahold of’ to perform well under pressure? Short of carrying a tennis ball around with you, here are a few things to help us ‘get a grip’ on a healthy response.
Necessary or unnecessary pressure?
We can plan around some of it, but not all of it. To avoid unnecessarily inflicting ourselves with pressure, this Forbes article reiterates some of the practical essentials like planning, prioritizing, and breaking down what you need to do into more manageable pieces. One good reminder I’ll highlight is trying the Eisenhower Matrix. For those instances where you face numerous high-priority tasks, use the model to prioritize each into one of the four quadrants: (top left) urgent and important; (top right) important but not urgent; (bottom left) urgent but not important; (bottom right) neither urgent nor important. It is a straightforward way of identifying what is necessary and allowing us to set aside what is not.
Guard yourself physically
Pressure can distract us in such a way that we fail to care for ourselves physically. I’m fortunate that I get to work from home for the most part, which allows me the opportunity to go outside when I need to. Consider that, along with the essentials of how you’re eating, drinking, and sleeping. Frances Bridges points us to the bottom line: “You will handle pressure with more focus and grace if you cultivate healthy responses to stress.”
Right thinking
A great deal of how we need to correctly respond to life comes down to the way we are thinking. Do you need to change your thoughts about pressure? This goes back to whether or not it is self-inflicted and that we know to expect it, but that it also provides an opportunity for us to grow. Try holding the thought that the pressure and the heat can bring about very good things in our lives.
Worship
When we’re feeling pressured, we should demonstrate our dependence on God through worship. What may not be your first response, should be a very close second. It may be that your initial feelings are anger toward God, but it is very difficult to remain that way when we recognize His great provision for us and our great need for Him. Austin Bonds points to three helpful insights that support our responding to pressure with worship: remember who you are, that God is with you, and He is for you.
While pressure is unavoidable–and it shouldn’t be avoided entirely, given its potential benefits–we can ‘get a grip’ on how to maintain the ability to remain steadfast. Focus only on what is most important, make sure you’re caring for yourself physically, check your thoughts, and trust. We read Jesus’ encouragement on that last point in John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” Keeping in mind the beautiful thing that will result when we do.
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Further reading:
18 ways to get better at working under pressure
Made under pressure, staying strong under trial
Six biblical methods for handling stress
The five best ways to handle pressure at work
12 proven ways successful people deal with the pressure to perform
Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash