Pressures of this world

Romans 8:6 (ESV)

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

I have what is known as sleep apnea. Basically when my body is at rest, the air pressure outside my body is greater than on the inside causing me to not only snore, but to stop breathing all together which can deprive my brain of oxygen. To fix the problem, I sleep with a CPAP machine with a mask over my face that pushes air into my lungs. The machine creates a positive air pressure so that the pressure inside is greater than the pressure outside and I keep breathing and I stop snoring. Last night we had a huge storm with thunder and lightning. During the storm it knocked our power out.  After the power came back on I was setting the alarm clock on my CPAP machine and found it fried out by the storm. So for the first time in 5 years I found myself having to sleep without its help. The night didn’t go well and when morning came I felt like I didn’t sleep at all.

The CPAP machine forcing air into my lungs is a good thing and when it isn’t there the outside forces take over and causes my body not to run smoothly.

In our Christian we have the Holy Spirit inside us helping us resist the outside pressures that the world has to offer. 

The pressures of the world constantly try to force us and shape us into its mold. Just like I need the CPAP machine so I can get the sleep I need, we need the Holy Spirit to fill us so we can do His will. Like I found out last night if I don’t use my CPAP machine, it can’t help me. We can be guilty of having the Holy Spirit and not using the power He has given us to have a positive pressure to be able to stand firm against what the world has to offer.

Dear Lord, thank You that You give us a way to stand up to the pressures that the world has to offer. We pray that we would continually use that power so we can stand strong against the pressures. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.