“The pressure of hard places makes us value life. Every time our life is given back to us from such a trial, it is like a new beginning, and we learn better how much it is worth, and make more of it for God and man. The pressure helps us to understand the trials of others, and fits us to help and sympathize with them.”

• “Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;
• Pressed so intensely it seems, beyond strength;
• Pressed in the body and pressed in the soul,
• Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll.
• Pressure by foes, and a pressure from friends.
• Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends. 
• Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
• Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.
• Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
• Pressed into faith for impossible things.
• Pressed into living a life in the Lord,
• Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured.”

-From Steams in the Desert