I think its safe to assume that all of us are dealing with some form of pressure and tension in our lives. There’s no doubt that, ever since our family moved to EA, we’ve been faced with a lot of pressures from the start. And if I can categorize these pressures, they would fall into three distinct categories:

1) Aggressive Pressure

This is the kind of pressure that comes when you’re out and about and you need to get something completed. But when you attempt to get it done, you realize you can’t because there are cultural and language barriers. Here are some examples of this kind of pressure:

  • Arriving at the checkout line at the supermarket and forgetting to get the fruit and vegetables tagged for pricing at a separate station
  • Being in a full bus with Haddon without a stroller
  • Being in a full bus with Haddon in a stroller
  • Having to go back to the same bank multiple times for consecutive days to see whether a wire transfer came through
  • Trying to look for a toilet plunger in an outdoor market without knowing how to say “toilet plunger” in the native language

2) Passive Pressure

Passive pressure is the kind of tension that you’re normally unaware of, but it causes your mind and body to be exhausted. Oftentimes we choose to ignore this type of tension, but it actually does take a toll on the mind and body. Some examples of passive pressure are:

  • Having to listen to the native language all the time
  • my-brain-cannot-take-the-pressure-anymore
  • Trying to translate while listening to the native language
  • New places and sights
  • Traveling via new or less used ways (like public transportation and scooters)

3) Self Pressure

This one is a bit more personal, but I’m sure many of you reading this have experienced this. Whether that desire is to be a better mother/father, be a better son/daughter or be a better Christian, we can all attest to placing that kind of pressure on ourselves.

Being out here and meeting people kind of makes me jealous, especially those who have been here longer. I wish I could fast forward and be where they are, but reality kicks in. I don’t have a TARDIS nor would I want to miss out on the experience and lessons learned through trials while living here. It’s a necessary process that our family has to go through in order to be effective vessels in the future.

End Result

In the midst of all these pressures, I’m reminded of 1 Cor. 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

This verse reminds me of several observations:

  1. The temptations that come into my life are not new, but common to man.
  2. God is sovereign over temptations that enter in my life. He will not allow temptations that go beyond my ability. God is sovereign over everything.
  3. God provides a way of escape, but the purpose of the escape is to endure the temptation even more.

I find that the way of escape from these temptations is prayer. And though prayer offers a brief breather to escape from the temptation, prayer also strengthen my resolve to not give into those certain temptations. Because let’s face it, each one of those pressures is just one bad response away from sin.

Whether it’s reacting in anger to the aggressive pressure, throwing a bad attitude in reaction to passive pressure, or throwing a pity-party for my own self-pressure (great article on self-pity here), the temptation to respond sinfully is real. But 1 Cor. 10:13 will continually remind me that those moments of escape I have with God are purposeful in strengthening the resolve to endure and overcome those temptations.