Day 4 — Under Pressure

“From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

— Psalm 61:2 (BSB)

Big test tomorrow. The championship game this weekend. A piano recital. A new school. Too much homework, and practice every night. Parents who expect a lot. Friends who expect something different.

Growing up can bring a lot of pressure. And pressure can make you feel stressed: tight shoulders, a stomachache, trouble sleeping, snapping at people, or wanting to just escape into a game or a screen.

David knew pressure. He wrote many of his psalms while he was being chased, attacked or betrayed. In today’s psalm, he says his “heart is faint.” That means he felt worn out, weak and overwhelmed.

So he prayed: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Picture a flood rising around you. The water keeps getting higher. You can’t stand against it. What you need is a big rock, higher than the water, higher than you, that you can climb up on and be safe.

God is that rock. When the pressure feels higher than you can handle, you can climb up onto Him. He’s bigger than your test, your game, your problems and your worries.

Here are some ways to handle pressure:

• Pray first. Tell God exactly what’s stressing you out. Ask Him to lead you to the rock.
• Break it down. A big job feels smaller when you do it one step at a time.
• Prepare. Studying or practicing ahead of time takes away a lot of pressure.
• Move your body. Exercise is one of the best ways to get rid of stress.
• Talk about it. Tell your parents if you feel like you have too much going on. Sometimes something needs to change.
• Remember what matters most. Your worth doesn’t depend on your grade or the score. You’re a son of the King whether you win or lose.

You don’t have to handle every pressure by yourself. That’s what the Rock is for.

Think about it: What puts the most pressure on you right now? What would it look like to “climb up on the Rock”?

Try this: Write down the three things stressing you most. Pray over each one, and pick one small step you can take on the biggest one.

Dear God, when my heart feels faint and the pressure is too much, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Thank You that You’re bigger than anything I’m facing. Help me trust You, take one step at a time, and ask for help when I need it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.