When the Pressure Builds…

 

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” *

When Al and I lived in Springville, California I learned how to use a pressure canner so that we could enjoy some of the fruit and vegetables from our garden during the winter. A favorite of ours were the large Asian pears that were ready to pick in the fall.

The two pear trees in the back of the property produced so many huge pears that sometimes branches would break off, unless the horizontal branches were pruned and pears thinned out once they began to form.

Canning was quite a project, first involving washing, peeling and slicing several ripe pears. It was a good project for the two of us to do together.  Al peeled and sliced the fruit, while I prepared the syrup in which the pears were boiled for a few minutes before filling the jars.

 He had helped me pick out a heavy metal canner, one that was large enough to hold 5 or 6 mason jars. With the canner placed on the largest burner of the stove, the jars were carefully arranged inside so that they didn’t touch each other. Then boiling water was poured in the canner and the lid was fastened on and locked.

As the heat was turned up, the pressure inside the cooker started to build causing it to shake and rumble. That was when I would back as far away from the stove top as possible, praying that it wouldn’t erupt like a volcano!  After a few minutes a pin on the lid popped up, indicating that the cooker was tightly sealed by the pressure inside.

 When a pressure gauge on the lid reached the desired number of pounds of pressure, I would gingerly turn the burner off and wait until the pin went back down. What a relief!  Just to be safe, I’d wait several more minutes before taking off the lid and removing the hot jars with a pot holder.

Often this process was repeated during the day, until the counter was covered with jars of shimmering sliced pears. A telltale sign that the jars were sealed was when each lid popped. Some popped in the canner and others while cooling down on the counter.

Lately, with Al’s recent shoulder surgery and subsequent care I’ve felt like the pressure has been building. I haven’t been shaking and rumbling, well not too much anyway, but the heat has definitely been turned up.

 Listening to peaceful music, communicating with family and friends, laughing, walking and moving around as much as possible, looking at beautiful artwork, talking to the Lord, praying with Al and other believers, journaling and Bible reading have all served as release valves, helping reduce some of the pressure. He seems to be improving each day, giving us hope that soon we will be back to our normal routines.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the list of things that tempt us can also include grumbling, complaining and doubting God’s goodness, especially when under stress.  Jesus also was under great pressure during His three years of ministry and withstood it, not giving in to sin. He knows our temptations and understands our weaknesses, interceding for us as our great high priest, according to the author of Hebrews.

The God of grace and mercy will enable us to stand up under the pressure, providing a way out, a release valve. No need to reach the boiling point or to blow up, scalding others who might be standing close to us!  The Triune God… the Father, Son and Holy Spirit… is faithful!

 

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV)

*1 Corinthians 10: 13 NIV