17/2/26- Pressure
Welcome to another week and my third blog post~
My prayer is that as your week has begun, you are anchoring yourself in Christ. Whether the days have felt smooth or if they have been incredibly heavy, my hope is that in all things we are learning, albeit sometimes slowly, sometimes through many tears — to rely not on our own strength, but on the faithful provision of the Lord. We must remember that growth in the Christian life is rarely dramatic; most often it is in the quiet, daily dependence on God.
We often ask ourselves: Was I productive today? But how should we be measuring productivity? Our culture measures productivity by visible achievement, speed, and output. Scripture measures fruitfulness by faithfulness. An article I read by Ligonier stated that, “While we recognize that fruitfulness is the work of God, we must understand that diligence is an essential component of our faithful lives and labours” (Living, 2026).
Productivity is not only found in hitting those major milestones or finally securing those impressive accomplishments. More often, it looks like ordinary obedience — showing up, persevering, tending to small responsibilities, and caring for the children God has entrusted to us. Preparing meals, folding that basket of laundry that has been there a few days, listening to little stories that sometimes happen when we have a million things on the go, correcting with patience (which can be very difficult when we are pressed mentally), praying through the exhaustion — these are not small things in the economy of God. They are moments we are reminded to pull ourselves back, center ourselves in God and recall that we are to be more Christlike every day.
This week, I want to reflect on pressure.
For solo parents, pressure is not sporadic (if only!). No, it is heavily woven into daily life. It can feel as though responsibility and pressure have become constant companions. Even broader research recognises this reality. The University of Melbourne has noted that the daily routine of a single parent can be especially demanding due to increased childcare responsibilities, housing pressures, financial strain, and mental health challenges (Marinos, 2025). Solo parents often carry overlapping burdens: raising children alone, managing finances alone, making decisions alone, disciplining alone, and shouldering the emotional weight alone.
Time is limited. Energy is limited and often completely spent. Support may be inconsistent or lacking heavily. Loneliness can be a sharp sting. The expectation to “hold everything together” can feel like a constant wave that won’t let you catch a breath. There is rarely an off-duty moment- it’s a 24/7 shift. When something breaks, you fix it. When a child struggles, you respond. When bills are due, you find a way. The pressure to be fully present, emotionally steady, spiritually grounded, and practically capable — all at once — can feel very overwhelming.
So, what does all of this look like for a solo Christian parent?
First, we begin with this anchor: God’s sovereignty is not suspended in single-parent households. The same Lord who ordained the heavens and the earth, ordains your days. Nothing about your situation is accidental or unseen.
“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”
— Psalm 103:19
Your family structure does not place you outside His covenant care. The pressure you feel is real — but it is not ultimate. Christ is.
Second, we need to be reminded God works through ordinary means. Not just sermons and sacraments — but routines, repetition, and responsibilities. The daily faithfulness of a solo parent is not spiritually second-class work.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:17
As you teach, correct, comfort, provide, and persevere, God is at work — in you and in your children — often in ways invisible now but eternal in significance.
Third, grace is not given in advance for a tomorrow that will never arrive — it is given for today.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
We are not called to prove our strength, but to depend on His strength. The gospel frees us from the crushing lie that we must be enough. The reality of it is that we are not enough — and we were never meant to be. Christ is enough. His righteousness covers our failures. His intercession covers our weaknesses. His Spirit sustains us!
Pressure will still be present, of course it will. But guess what, it no longer defines the story- His providence does.
Living, C. (2026). Faithfulness and Fruitfulness by Nicholas Batzig. Ligonier Ministries. https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/faithfulness-and-fruitfulness
Marinos, S. (2025, March 5). Life for single-parent families in Australia is harsh. Unimelb.edu.au; The University of Melbourne. https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/life-for-single-parent-families-in-australia-is-harsh
