Trying to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit is like trying to get light from a lamp that’s not plugged in! You can replace the bulb with a fancy LED or Halogen bulb, put a new pretty lampshade on it, dust it, move it, get a new lamp. But unless you PLUG IT IN to the source of power, you are not going to be able to SHINE THE LIGHT!
How do you get plugged in? Daily surrender to God’s will through prayerfully submitting your own fleshly desires, goals and wants to Him. Ask God to take over. Ask for wisdom. Ask for help. He is a good God, the only God, the only Way. When you accepted the free gift of salvation, you became his servant. Before you were a servant of unrighteousness. Now you serve the living God with your life.
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-3 KJV
Blue Skies and Green Pastures 
I agree 100%! Speaking just for myself, I would say the pressures I feel as a Christian have gotten more intense the past while.
Same. I feel like all Christians must be on guard constantly because of the onslaught of rumors, lies and temptations to hate and judge and react.