Take the Pressure Off

I feel a lot of pressure sometimes—especially when the days are flying by. By Wednesday night, my to-do list still has plenty of unfinished tasks, and the weight of responsibility can feel heavy—like I’m pushing a boulder uphill.

Do you ever feel that way?

I’d rather feel strong, prepared, and capable! But it’s in these moments that I sense God gently tapping me on the shoulder, calling me to pause. I hear Him say:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness... For when I am weak, then I am strong.”— 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

He says He is strong when I feel weak? That’s good news, because I know I’m not the only one who feels that way today.

God reminds us that if we allow Him, He will fill the gaps. He will make up the difference for everything we lack. And when we pause long enough to ask, God, do You still love me? Do You forgive me? Even when I don’t measure up to my own expectations?—His answer is always yes.

Can we be both a little off-kilter and still completely beloved? Absolutely.

So let me invite you to just breathe.

Look for something lovely right in front of you. Maybe it’s your child’s doodles on a scrap of paper. Maybe it’s a bite of a homemade cookie you forgot to finish. Close your eyes and whisper a simple thank You to God.

• Thank You for this day.

• Thank You for my breath.

• Just… thank You.

When your list is long and time is running out, give yourself permission to pause.

✔️ Reevaluate your list and choose to focus on the next most important thing.✔️ Say this out loud: God loves me. He is a God who makes up the difference.✔️ Stretch your gratitude muscle with a quick prayer:

God, thank You for this crazy, ridiculously busy life. Let me step in sync with You… hand in hand. I will listen for Your words of kindness, and I will breathe with You.

That is enough for today. And you are enough.

And if you’ve forgotten just how much you are loved, let me remind you: He loves you more than you can imagine!