Blood pressure is like golf.  You want to keep your numbers low.

I have high blood pressure.  Like REALLY high.  No one knows why.  It’s put me in the hospital twice because the numbers were so scary.

I eat right.  I’m small.  I’m not a smoker.  My heart is perfectly healthy and shows no signs of being a contributor.

The only factor that seems to make sense is genetics.

Since we can’t seem to find any other source, we are treating it with meds.  Three to be exact.  I am seeing a specialist who is monitoring my progress.  I keep a diary of my morning and evening blood pressure levels. A very boring journal of numbers :-).

I feel like an old lady when I look at all the pill bottles on my bathroom counter.  But the doctor told me that I won’t have the chance to BE an old lady if I don’t take these meds.  He said that they could actually add TWO DECADES to my life!  Two decades!  Wow…

The top number on a blood pressure reading is the pressure in your heart when it is pumping.  The bottom number represents the pressure in your heart when it’s at rest.  An ideal blood pressure reading would be 110-120/70-80.   Let’s just say, that untreated, mine is nowhere close.

Too much pressure obviously strains the heart.  Over time it weakens the heart.  This is why high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks and strokes.  This is why I take my meds.

Okay, enough of my little medical lesson.  You know where I’m going next.  Analogy time…

There are continual pressures in life.   Some greater than others, depending on the season of life we’re in.  Sometimes it’s self-induced and sometimes it’s out of our control.  If we’re not facing the pressure with the right “med”, the pressure will get to us and eventually break us down.

Turning to Jesus to walk us through the intense and pressure filled times in our lives doesn’t take away the reality of our situation.  But it adds a NEW reality to it.  That God is there.  That God is aware.  That God cares.  That He bears our burdens.  He can relieve the pressure and replace it with an indescribable peace that doesn’t make sense given our circumstances.

He’s already felt the weight of our lives.  He wore it at the cross.  He is all too familiar with it.  And crazily enough, He asks us to give it to Him again, every time life feels too big, too difficult, too much.

Remember this today:

God is there

God is aware

God cares

God bears

Feel relief as your recognize His presence and sense His hand in the middle of whatever you are facing.  Let Him bring your pressure down.  He won’t just add decades to your life.  He offers an eternity that’s pressure-free…

John 10:10 – I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Psalm 29:11 – The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.