Pressure into Power
Lessons on Stress from My Grandmother's wisdom
After my grandmother passed, we discovered a letter she wrote—a treasure trove of memories, wisdom, and encouragement. But at the end was a revelation that changed how I see stress forever.
This woman, who was the epitome of love and wisdom, carried with her verses about courage, fear, and facing the pressures of life - the theme was
STRESS.
What my grandmother knew was immense pressure from external factors. She’d grown up with a relatively hard life and lived through wars, economic challenges, and illness - a lot of pressure. These verses spoke to how we internalize the pressure - and an alternate option to this stress.
One of the verses she held to said she was not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
As I face my own pressures and stresses, I am reminded of my grandmother's wisdom —that pressure does not need to create stress. My grandmother's choice to hold onto verses about courage and clarity exemplifies how pressure can shape us for the better when approached with the right mindset.
Pressure vs Stress
Pressure can be understood as external forces applied to us—events or expectations that require a response. On the other hand, stress happens when we internalize that pressure and react emotionally or mentally in ways that overwhelm us. While pressure is an external reality, stress is the internal reaction to that reality.
Internalizing the stress is creating a spirit of fear.
A Roman emperor and stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, once said, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
So, what are power, love, and a sound mind if a spirit of fear internalizes stress?
Power: Embrace Your Capacity to Act
When faced with pressure, the first step is to recognize your power—the ability to choose your response. Power comes from within, from our ability to decide what our attitude will be and what actions we will take. Instead of succumbing to stress, we can view each challenge as an opportunity to grow. The power we hold is the ability to act, to decide, and to persevere. When we shift our mindset to one of empowerment, pressure becomes fuel for action rather than a source of stress.
ACTION: Write down one small action you can take now to face your challenge(s) head on.
Love: Stay Connected to What Matters
Pressure can often make us too focused on survival and self-preservation.
But love expands our perspective.
Love reminds us of our connections and values, serving as a compass that reorients us toward purpose during difficult times. For instance, reaching out to help someone else during a stressful period can reduce our sense of overwhelm.
It allows us to see beyond ourselves and remember what truly matters—our relationships, values, and the people we care about. When we face pressure with love, we do so in service to something greater than ourselves, which can turn a stressful situation into a meaningful mission. Instead of seeing obstacles as threats, we see them as opportunities to serve and uplift others.
While love helps us anchor ourselves in purpose, a sound mind ensures we act on that purpose with clarity and calm.
ACTION: What does love look like in your times of pressure? Journal on this - what it looks like now and your ideal response.
Sound Mind: Cultivate Clarity and Calm
Finally, a sound mind is vital to navigating stress and pressure. A sound mind means having the clarity to separate what is within our control from what is not. When we cultivate a sound mind, we respond to pressure with measured actions rather than emotional reactions. This state of mental discipline transforms pressure into something productive, enabling us to make decisions rooted in wisdom rather than fear. By grounding ourselves in reason, we keep stress at bay and allow pressure to refine us rather than break us.
ACTION: List three factors in your situation(s) that you can control, and three that you cannot. Focus only on what you can.
The Stoic Approach to Pressure
When viewed through the lens of Stoicism and the teachings of 2 Timothy, pressure becomes a catalyst for growth. On the other hand, stress happens when we allow fear to dominate our perception. By embracing power, love, and a sound mind, we can transform the pressures of life into purposeful action—becoming more resilient, compassionate, and centered individuals.
The next time you feel the weight of a situation bearing down on you, ask yourself: Am I allowing this to become stress, or can I see it as pressure that calls me to act with power, love, and clarity? The answer might transform your experience from one of overwhelm to one of opportunity.