Under Pressure by Queen

Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you, no man asked for
Under pressure, that burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets

That is the opening bit of Under Pressure by Queen. Who knew that Queen was speaking truth. We went out to grab some supper tonight and Under Pressure was playing at the restaurant. So that got me to thinking. We are all under pressure everyday. Some more than others. Every one's pressures are different, some finical pressures, some a strained relationship, some even addictions. But there are good things that come from pressure. Take diamonds for instance.

• "Well, believe it or not, diamonds are made of the same substance that the lead in your pencil and coal is made of. It's just that the atoms themselves are arranged in a way that make them tighter than any other substance. The bonds are formed when carbon exists at very high temperatures and under very high pressure. Natural diamonds are made very deep in the Earth about 180 km below the surface where high temperatures and pressure exist naturally. Under the earth’s crust is the mantel, which is made up of molten rock, metals and other materials.The high pressures are produced by the weight of 180 km of rocks pressing down on it. This is how the diamond comes to be."

This can be related to the Christian life. God puts us in struggles, under pressure, to change us. Wouldn't be nice if we could be under this pressure and come out like a diamond. Well I think that is God's intention. Pressure cause us to change and adapt, extreme pressure forces us to realize we must seek God to get us through the days of our lives.

• Psalm 63:1-3 1 O God, You are my God;Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.
• Hebrews 4:15-16 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
• Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

So next time you feel your pressures are to much, think about the diamonds. Take pleasure in your pressure and be the diamond. Seek Him early and often.

• 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced..