Feeling The Pressure

Anyone else feeling the pressure lately? Life has this sneaky way of piling things on—deadlines, grocery lists, family stuff, traffic jams. Some days it feels like we’re human pressure cookers just waiting to ding! But don’t worry, we’re not here to add more pressure today. We’re here to laugh about it, breathe through it, and remember where true peace comes from. Let’s kick off this morning by giving ourselves permission to be human—and maybe even smile through the chaos.

Our Scripture for today is Matthew 11:28 (NLT) — “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”

Let’s talk about recognizing the pressure points in life without letting them steal our joy. Let’s take a deep breath together and have a little fun with it.

You know you’re feeling the pressure when you put the milk in the pantry. (True story, by the way—and I know I’m not alone in that.)

Life throws so much at us that even the little things start to feel big. One moment you’re calmly making a to-do list, and the next you’re frustrated because you dropped a spoon. It’s okay. Sometimes just calling it out and laughing about it is the best medicine. God never expected us to carry every little thing alone—He actually invites us to lighten up a bit. So, if you’re feeling the weight of a hundred small things today, give yourself permission to breathe and maybe even laugh at the crazy.

We live in a world that screams, “Be perfect!”—perfect parent, perfect employee, perfect Christian. Newsflash: none of us are perfect. And guess what? God never asked us to be. He asked us to be faithful, to be available, and to be real. Perfection isn’t the goal—obedience and trust are. So, the next time you burn dinner, miss a deadline, or forget a meeting, don’t spiral into guilt. Instead, take it to God, laugh it off, and remember you are already loved and accepted right where you are.

When the pressure feels like too much, there’s one simple move: give it to God. (Easier said than done, I know.) I’ve literally sat at my kitchen table before and whispered, “Lord, I can’t do this. Here You go.” Sometimes I physically imagine handing Him my messy list of worries and saying, “Here. You’re better at this anyway.” He promises rest—not more pressure. And He always delivers. Not on our timeline maybe, but always right on time.

I often need to remind myself of this, because the pressure that I feel—not only from life but from myself—can feel like way too much. I’m thankful that God our Father loves us, sees us as we are, and gives grace, mercy, and comfort to help realign me with who He says I am.

Pressure isn’t always bad—I mean, it can pop popcorn, right? A little pressure can make us grow, stretch us, and even help us laugh at ourselves. But too much pressure with nowhere to go? That’s when things explode—and nobody wants to clean that mess. Life’s pressures can either cook us into something tasty or make us lose our cool. It’s all about knowing when to lean into the stretch and when to step back and say, “Okay, I need a snack and a nap.” For real, one time I put myself in time-out because I needed it—because let’s be honest, sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a moment to get yourself together.

Let’s get into some practical ways to deflate the pressure balloon before it bursts—and maybe find a few smiles along the way.

Let’s find the funny. Seriously. Laughter is like a release valve for pressure. Whether it’s a toddler wearing a spaghetti strainer as a helmet or your dog refusing to come inside unless you bribe him with cheese—look for the little moments that make you laugh instead of losing it. God gave us the gift of joy, and sometimes the holiest thing you can do is throw your head back and laugh until you can’t breathe. Plus, science shows laughter actually reduces stress hormones. So basically, laughter is God’s prescription for pressure.

What’s something funny that God pointed out to you during a frustrating time to release the pressure you were feeling?

Sometimes when we feel pressure, we need to pause—and that is often the case. Like before you send that stressed-out email, yell at the toaster, or ugly cry in your car. Sometimes a 30-second deep breath changes everything. (And honestly, the toaster probably isn’t out to get you.) When you pause, you give your brain and heart a chance to catch up with what God’s already whispering: “You’re okay. I’ve got this.” Pausing invites peace back into the moment before pressure takes over. Even Jesus took time to step away and pray—how much more do we need to?

Let’s remember our Scripture for today: Matthew 11:28 (NLT) — “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” Jesus tells us to come to Him at all times—and that really means at all times.

Feeling crushed by commitments? It’s okay to say no. No is a holy word sometimes. You don’t have to bake the cookies, attend every meeting, or volunteer for every event. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light… and I’m pretty sure He didn’t mean signing up for five bake sales at once. Saying no doesn’t mean you don’t care—it means you’re wise enough to know your limits. Protecting your peace is part of living faithfully too.

Pressure often comes from thinking we have to fix everything right now. You don’t. You can only take one step. One thing. One prayer at a time. God isn’t grading you on speed; He’s walking with you at your pace. So today, let’s breathe deep, pick one thing to do well, and leave the rest in God’s capable hands. One small step is still forward movement.

Let’s talk about what to do when the pressure hits and you’re tempted to hit the panic button.

Sometimes pressure reveals purpose. It pushes us toward growth, courage—even creativity. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening?” maybe today we can ask, “What’s God shaping in me through this?” (And if the answer is patience… well, you’re not alone.) Pressure can reveal new dreams, build resilience, and even push us closer to the people God placed in our lives. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s not wasted.

You weren’t made to carry everything alone. Call a friend. Text your small group. Ask for help. God designed us for community—and sometimes just hearing someone say, “Me too,” can pop that pressure bubble. Vulnerability feels scary, but it leads to freedom. So don’t hide behind “I’m fine” today. Let someone in.

But also—when life feels heavy—praise God. And though that might be the last thing on your mind, it’s actually the most powerful thing you can do. Praise shifts the focus off the pressure and onto the One who carries you through it. Throw on your favorite worship song, even if you don’t feel like it. Sing a little off-key if you need to. (Bonus points if you dance while doing the dishes. I’m not sure who’s handing out points—but I’m in.) Praise has a way of breaking the tension and reminding your heart: God is bigger than this moment.

This season you’re in? It’s not forever. Pressure feels permanent when you’re standing in it—but it isn’t. Seasons change. Deadlines pass. Toddlers grow up. Broken things heal. God’s mercies are new every morning—not just when you finally get your act together.

Listen—feeling pressure doesn’t mean you’re doing life wrong. It means you’re human. It also means you care. You’re growing. You’re trying. So don’t beat yourself up. Instead, thank God for the blessing of being in the middle of a beautiful, sometimes messy, meaningful life. It’s okay to feel the weight—but it’s even better to lay it down.

So, if today feels hard, know this: it’s not your whole story. It’s just one page. And the Author of your story is really, really good at endings.

Pressure may be part of life, but it doesn’t have to define your life. You were made for more than stress. You were made for peace, for joy, for deep breaths and wide smiles. Give yourself a little grace. Hand over the pressure, grab onto that grace, and walk through today lighter. Life’s pressures will always be there—but so will God’s peace. And sometimes, a good laugh really is the best medicine.

Remember our verse from this morning: Matthew 11:28 (NLT) — “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Let’s take Him up on that today.