The "Gift" of Resistance

​Have you ever felt that inward battle between the drive to do a thing & the resistance to doing that thing? Or a motivating desire to do something & simultaneously a fear to do that very same thing? 

What's up with this?

The (Seemingly) Two Dichotomies 
If you've every wanted to push yourself past your comfort zone, you have undoubtedly felt the pull of the two opposing dichotomies at work within you.

There's the one dichotomy that says:

"Go for it! This is your time. This is your season. You were born  for this! Break out of your comfort zone! Do that thing you've been wanting to do. That thing you were created to do. That thing that is begging to be released to the world!" 

But simultaneously, there's the second dichotomy, which says:

"Well, just hold on a minute. Let's just wait one more day. Are you sure you're ready for this? No, no, you're not quite ready. Don't stress yourself about this. You can do it tomorrow. Plus, its really not even perfect yet, you still need 'a', 'b' & 'c'. Plus, what is _____ going to say if you move forward with this?" 

This is a battle that exists within each of us. For some, it is the launching pad to move forward, while for others, it is the source of what holds them back.  


The Gift of Resistance 
​If you've ever done any type muscle-building exercies, you'll understand the importance of resistance. Resistance is the weight that is seemingly trying to stop you from lifting the bar and from completing the exercise. However, this is far from its purpose. The resistance is the exact tool that is helping the athlete to build muscle, endurance, or whatever his goal for the exercise. 

Imagine, rather than lifting a 20lb weight, lifting a pencil. Imagine rather than riding a bicycle with a resistance chain, a bicycle with no chain. It's quite easy to see that little resistance = little progress or growth. 

The False Dichotomy 
The dichotomy between the two forces within each of us, is really not a dichotomy at all. They are actually two forces working side-by-side, for the growth of the recipient. Just as the weight and chain is the resistance the athlete needs to challenge his muscles to grow; in the same way, the resistance of life--fear, disapproval from others, financial/emotional/& mental struggles--is the resistance we need to challenge ourselves to push past our comfort zones, doubt our doubts, and achieve what deep down we already know we are capable of. 

Will you allow your internal & external resistance to stop you or use it as a motivation to push through? 

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Jessica Cooper MSW, LCSW is the therapist and coach for women feeling lost, disempowered & unfulfilled, and for women in leadership. Jessica's unique experience & training as a female psychotherapist and woman in leadership has given her the unique perspective into the mental and emotion needs of hurting women and women in leadership positions. Find out more at FindingYouCounseling.com or schedule a free consultation here. ​