A tremendous amount of work and ingenuity went into building the massive bridges of the nineteenth century. One of the newest tools was called a cassion. The cassion allowed workers to dig a hundred feet bellow the water. However, it was discovered that coming out of that environment too quickly would result in decompression sickness. To use a cassion was worthless if the workers did not know how to decompress. So, despite a longing to escape the cassion, the workers would learn to resurface gradually if they wanted to avoid the pain and threat of death caused by that environment.

After a day full of stress and labor each of us needs to decompress. For many this is attempted by immediately finding the most comfortable chair and escaping into Netflix, naps or news. But is this mode of decompression healthy?

In our Lord we find a healthy outlet. When Jesus felt compressed and afflicted during a day of hard work, Luke 5:16 says, “He would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” 1 Peter 5:7 tells us “cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” Our God provides a way for proper decompression.

But Peter also tells us in the next verses the real danger and threat of death that comes from the wrong kind of decompression. “Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him.” Even as we decompress from a stress filled day our enemy is waiting in the wings, as we loosen our grip on daily cares we must not lose our focus on God who “will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (v 10).

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:37