Resistance and Spiritual Engagement

Posted by Helen on: 05.03.2008 /

I wrote this for Beth’s blog carnival on resistance.

A few years ago I started resistance training. I was persuaded into it by hearing how wonderfully good for me it is. The resistance of lifting moderately heavy weights strengthens my muscles and bones - it’s excellent physical exercise. Resistance training is quite popular - meaning, lots of people do it for the health benefits, not, lots of people enjoy it.

Spiritual engagement always involves resistance (see note below on ’spiritual’). I think this may have been what Jesus meant when he said (according to the Bible) “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” I think he was pointing out, it will take effort – resistance – to live this way.

Many choices in my life involve resistance. Doing something different from people around me when I know they won’t understand. Helping someone in need when I could just walk on by and no-one would ever know except me (and God?) Persevering when I could rationalize that I’ve done enough already. Letting go of anger and moving on when my anger is justifiable and being kind to someone who was not kind to me.

I remember times looking after sick children when I was sick too and would rather have had someone looking after me! That’s my personal image of resistance. I expect some other mothers reading this might agree!

Resisting in one area helps me resist in others. If I resist my desire not to exercise, I find the rest of my life is less out of control. (If you’re looking for reasons to exercise, add this to the list!)

Resistance training is not easy or fun at the time: that’s why I’m not very consistent about doing it. But afterwards (once I’ve recovered) I’m glad I made the effort. I have a sense of accomplishment and my body feels more alive.

If I’m losing the will to resist, I go look for other people who understand the value of resistance. We can commiserate with each other, encourage each other and congratulate each other on each successful act of resistance. And if it’s crazy to resist at least I have some crazy friends doing it along with me!

note: for me, ’spiritual’ is a metaphor for anything humans do which causes them to live up to their full potential as human beings.

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