Pressured to Lean

Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-8
Author: Martin Wiles (South Carolina, US)
Tuesday 21 July 2026 © The Upper Room.
A hiking stick is a hiker’s best friend. 

On hikes in the mountains over steep paths covered with rocks and roots, my hiking stick relieves knee pressure while I am going uphill, slows me down while descending, and keeps me from falling when my feet slip. Once, when I dropped my hiking stick and it started to fall out of my reach, I didn’t hesitate to hurry after it to retrieve it.

Some believe God is a crutch to lean on when we can’t handle life’s pressures, but I readily admit I can’t handle life’s pressures alone. I can do all things with Christ (see Philippians 4:13), but I make a mess on my own.

I have learned to lean on God for rest, guidance, strength and wisdom to take the next step and to know how to respond. It also reminds me that this world is not my home. 

One day I’ll live in an eternal heaven where God will relieve the pressures I face now, but until then I must lean. When pressures come, we can stretch upward and lean forward toward God.

Prayer: Merciful God, thank you that no burden we bear is more than your shoulders can handle if we turn to you in faith. Amen
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BSL devotions is such a fantastic resource, thank you so much for starting it up and developing the site. I am a Christian hearing person who works with deaf people and have loved the opportunity to develop my understanding of and use of christian signs through the videos. It would be great to know who all the sign interpreters are as well as those who write the devotional content. Perhaps as the website grows in the future, UK deaf and hearing Christians can contribute to the devotion content. Many thanks and blessings. Please keep the site going! HJ