Balancing Pressures (part 2)

Pressures are everywhere and we deal with different pressures every day of our lives.  It's important to acknowledge the fact that, just as tires lose a certain amount of pressure over time with simple wear and tear, so do we.  
Let’s look  at a few ways to make sure we have and keep the best balance of pressures in our lives - the best balance of pressure to keep us productive and effective for God.

First, when it comes to tires, we need to learn the recommended tire pressure for the actual vehicle, not just the tire.  This isn’t found on the tire, but is found on the vehicle itself (or in the manual).
Remember, we are each UNIQUE!  We are all different!  We are created that way!  We all work differently and we can all handle different amounts of pressures.  YOU need to learn how much YOU can handle.  Don’t overcrowd your schedule or take on more than you know you can handle, just because someone else seems to.  Be honest about how much you can handle.  Be honest with yourself and be honest with others.  Just as the vehicle’s recommended tire pressure is on the vehicle, YOU are the only one who can decide what your schedule should look like.  Listen to what the Lord tells you – He’ll guide you!

2ndly, choose a time to check your tire pressure regularly and stick to it.  You can’t check it once and never check it again.  
Situations change, so does our ability to handle pressures. Keep evaluating your life, your situations, your job, your family's needs, your needs, your areas of contribution in the community and all of the things in your life. Again, you won’t be as productive or effective as you could be if you take on more than you are created to take on, OR if you choose to take on responsibilities that someone else is better suited for.
The 3rd tip is to use a high quality pressure gauge and ck the pressure when the tires haven’t been driven more than a few miles, AND when the tires are at the same temperature as the air around them, in other words, not in extreme temperatures.
Find quality women who can help hold you accountable.  They can help you gauge when you don’t have the proper balance of pressure in your life.  And don’t be pressured by extreme situations that can influence you to make extreme decisions.

Lastly, remember to check all 4 tires.  Don’t assume any one of them is ok bc the others are.  And don’t forget to check your spare tire  – that’s just plain good advice. :)

I’ll end with a quote:

“Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.”  - Thomas J. Watson

Again, we are going to lose some steam at different times of our lives simply due to normal wear and tear.  Whether you realize it or not, others are watching you and you have influence in their lives.  We need to make sure we aren’t out of balance with over or under-inflated tires.  It’s our responsibility to make sure we don’t get in our own way by overcommitting and underperforming so we can be as productive and effective as we were created to be.

Thanks for being you!
- jenny

---