“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  

I recently saw a t-shirt worn by NFL quarterback Robert Griffith III, that said “No Pressure, No Diamond”.  It’s an old quote by a Scottish philosopher named Thomas Carlyle from the 1800s. Geologists tell us that diamonds are produced out of highly organized carbon squeezed under pressure of 725,000 pounds per square inch and heated to about 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit.  Now that’s what I call a heated and pressure packed situation!

The concept that great results can be produced when there is internal or external pressure is well proven throughout time. From a very young age, we can all relate to the pressure that comes with performance.  Think back to your first spelling test and the butterflies that circled your stomach as you crammed with your Mom or Dad the night before.

In the workplace, the pressure and stress can be overwhelming at times. The expectations that others put on us or we put on ourselves can cause us to produce the desired results but at what cost.  We can become so obsessed and focused on perfect production that we suffer mentally and/or physically. The heat can also cause us to neglect others and make choices that are not in line with our values.

A diamond has the highest hardness of any bulk material. If we do not stay in constant communication with our Creator, we can become hardened too.

Worldly success is a blessing that can in turn bless others.  However, we can have an eternal peace that is not the result of our production but of His love.  With Jesus, we can rest easy and rejoice always regardless of our circumstances. The t-shirt could have also said “No Pressure, Just Peace”. 

Reference:  John 16:33

Anthony George, Founder/Co-owner