Listen to today’s devo!

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb. 2:18)

Expanded Passage: Hebrews 2:14-18

I was nervous the first time I made chicken stew in our new Instant Pot pressure cooker. I closed the lid, pressed the button, and watched the steam build, fearing this contraption might explode like a bomb and blow my kitchen to smithereens. Fortunately, a reassuring online video from an experienced chef helped me through the process step-by-step, pointed me to the “pressure release” valve, and guided me to a delicious dinner.

Life sometimes brings pressurized situations that cause anxious and conflicted feelings. People say and do things that cause steam to rise in our hearts. As pressure builds, we fear we might explode. But we have a source better than YouTube. Master Chef Jesus has already been there and knows exactly how to turn stressful situations into something good. He helps navigate the rising steam, find the “pressure release,” discern timing, respond appropriately, and find the path of peace. Following Jesus, step-by-step, we can respond with grace, act with kindness, and exhibit Christlike calmness under extreme pressure.

The release valve is prayerful trust. Jesus invites us to bring every burden and concern to him. If it is big enough to worry about, it is big enough to pray about. When we trust Jesus to guide the whole process, the pressure won’t get the best of us, and in the end, the stew is delicious.

Seek Jesus in prayer to release the pressure of stressful situations.

Mark O. Wilson serves as Division of Religion chair at Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.