Release your Steam

Grace is a big part of my life. I understand the importance of being on both the giving and receiving end of grace. What is grace? Here is a condensed excerpt from Merriam-Webster’s dictionary: Grace (noun) Unmerited divine assistance, a virtue coming from God, favor, privilege. Disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency. The quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful.

I certainly need God’s grace in my life, but I need others to give me grace as well. I need people to give me grace when I drive too slow. I need grace when I’m having an emotional moment and grief spills out the corners of my eyes. I need grace when I’m running a few minutes late. I need grace when I’m around a group and feel uncomfortable. I need grace from others desperately. Grace just makes life better. Grace makes life palatable. If we could learn to give each other grace we would really have a happier life.

Have you ever seen a pressure cooker? You put your food in this special pot and add water. You put on the airtight lid and lock it shut. The pressure causes the food to cook quickly and tenderizes even the toughest piece of meat. My favorite part of using a pressure cooker is the satisfaction I get when I turn the pressure valve to the open position. Tons of pressure and steam are released making an extremely loud noise. Once the pressure is released the lid can be removed and you can enjoy whatever delicious food you have prepared.

It’s easy to let pressure build up inside of us. Little things pile up and we allow the frustration to increase. In an avoidance to deal with an issue we put a lid on our emotions and boil internally. My suggestion to eradicate the pressure is to give grace. Grace is the switch we flip to let go of the steam we have been holding in. Let it go that your husband leaves his socks right beside the hamper. Give grace to that nosy co-worker who always voices their opinion and gives unsolicited advice. Give grace to that person who let you down again. Let it go when that person on the interstate passes you as if you were standing still. Give these people grace. Give then favor and kindness they don’t deserve.

You may think you are doing them a favor, but you are actually doing YOURSELF a favor. You will see your blood pressure decrease, you will see that tension in your shoulders dissipate. You will feel the headache and stress melt away as you let that pressure go.

This is my challenge to you this week, especial since it’s Valentines day week. Choose one thing that someone does to you that really drives you bonkers and then envision yourself flipping that knob to give them grace and release the pressure. You will be glad you did. Share your testimony with me as I will rejoice with you that grace is your new gift to others and yourself.