choosing god’s way in a culture of pressure
When the world tells you that you can’t live life God’s way… I know how that feels. And it can feel darn near impossible in today’s culture. Living God’s way in a world full of pressure means choosing peace, rest, and purpose over striving, burnout, and trying to measure up to impossible standards.
The pressure is everywhere—to conform, to hustle, to push harder, to prove your worth. I’ve been there. I tried it all, living by the world’s ways, and it still left me empty. Broken. Burned out.
I would ask God daily if this was all there was to life. I longed to live differently, but I honestly didn’t think it was possible for me. Why? Because I was trying to live for two masters.
Living God’s Way Means Choosing One Master
I was trying to serve God and still serve:
- Money
- Materialism
- Convenience
- Approval
- Comfort
- Beauty standards
But the truth is: you become a servant of the one you worship. And God was never going to honor a divided heart.
Jesus says clearly in Matthew 6:24:
“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.”
You have to choose. One path leads to striving, burnout, and emptiness. The other leads to peace, purpose, and rest.
Living God’s Way in the Midst of Beauty Pressure
The beauty pressure is real—and crushing. If you are a woman, you are familiar with this demanding The beauty pressure is real—and crushing. Many women feel it from an early age. We hear constantly how we aren’t enough: our waist isn’t slim enough, other parts aren’t thick enough. We spend time, energy, and money on things that promise to make us more beautiful, thinking that will somehow increase our value.
So, I thought I had to:
- Exercise harder
- Diet more
- Look a certain way
- Spend lots on clothes, hair, and makeup
No matter how hard I tried, I could never “arrive.” I felt like a hamster on a wheel—chasing and chasing but never reaching the finish line. That’s because the world’s standards of beauty and success demand everything but give nothing in return.
Don’t get me wrong—a healthy body and looking well-presented are good things. But the problems start when you feel like you must be these things to have any real value. Thankfully, God sees and values what is inside (1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 31:30), and before you ever spent your first dime on beauty products, you were already fearfully and wonderfully made by and for your Creator (Psalm 139:14).
Money and Provision: Seeing God as Our Provider
There was a time in my life when I struggled with jealousy toward other moms or wives who could stay home and focus fully on their families. I longed for that opportunity but felt trapped by our financial situation. I believed God was my provider—to a point—but I didn’t trust Him for the big things, only the small, daily needs. My family had a poverty mindset, and I unknowingly adopted it too.
But God…
God has graciously helped me renew my mind and transform my thinking! Romans 12:2 says:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will know what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.”
I now know that He is bigger than my limited beliefs—and He cares about every part of my life, no matter where I work or what I do.
THE LIES I BELIEVED AND THE TRUTH IN LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE
| LIES I BELIEVED | GOD’S TRUTH | SCRIPTURE REFERENCE |
| God wanted me in poverty and lack to keep me dependent on Him | God is a God of prosperity and abundance | John 10:10 – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” |
| I am solely responsible for providing for my family | God is ultimately our provider | Matthew 6:31-33 – “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Psalm 127:1-2 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. … He grants sleep to those he loves.” |
| God is punishing us with abundance of work and lack of rest because of Adam and Eve | God provides us with rest and invites us to rest with Him. He desires that we enjoy the fruit of our labor | Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you… and you will find rest for your souls.” Ecclesiastes 3:13 – “That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” |
| Experiencing freedom, joy, and rest in my life just wasn’t in the cards for me. I have to strive hard if I want any success in life. | God is no respecter of persons and Jesus came to offer me these very things. | Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. |
Life Isn’t About Arriving—It’s About the Journey
The world tells us we’ll be happy when we arrive—rich enough, fit enough, have it all together. But life isn’t about arriving; it’s about walking, step by step, with God.
Peace and rest are available now when we choose to live God’s way in a culture of pressure. Whether that looks like working outside the home for you, or staying at home for me—the goal isn’t the role itself. The focus is on trusting God, being rooted in His truth, and prioritizing what truly matters.
Fighting for My Children’s Hearts
NNow, I’m praying for the hearts of my children. They’re surrounded by cultural messages daily—through social media, school, and entertainment.
My hope is that they:
- Learn faster than I did
- Suffer fewer consequences
- Partner with God early
Our homes are where children can see what living God’s way looks like in action. It won’t change everything, but it shapes what they value and who they trust.
Walking on Water: Living God’s Way Requires Deep Trust
It’s amazing what God can do when we stop putting limits on Him and choose to meet Him in the deep places. This isn’t easy—it’s daily, deep trusting.
We walk in the opposite direction from the crowd. We battle fear, break generational strongholds, and choose:
- Obedience over urgency
- Peace over productivity
- Presence over perfection
The money may not “math.” The chores pile up. The world makes us feel like our bodies aren’t enough.
But instead of striving to prove my worth, I now focus on:
- Prioritizing prayer
- Declaring God’s Word over my home
- Standing on His promises daily
- Reading the Bible for transformation, not checklists
- Raising my children with a strong foundation
This is what living God’s way looks like in a culture of pressure. It isn’t about perfection—it’s about daily trust.
Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Master
If you’re tired of trying to be everything for everyone, worn out by cultural and spiritual standards, let this be your permission slip to stop trying. Stop serving two masters. Truly surrender.
Because you don’t just follow the god you believe in—you become like the god you worship. Only Jesus can give your heart what it has been aching for all along.
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