Anyone who has been in a position of authority—parent, manager, pastor—can relate to Saint Peter in this 17th Century painting from the School of Rubens. The Fisherman, grasping firmly but gently the keys given to him by Christ, looks upward to God. He is not 'white-knuckling' the keys, nor is he loosely holding them, about to let them slip out of his hands. They are part of his identity.
Peter's countenance entails anguish and pain. But there is also hope and trust in his eyes. He desires relief; relief not for himself, but for his flock. He knows this relief will come, even if it is on the other side of eternity.