I have very serious osteoporosis.
So, when I heard about a weight-lifting program proven to increase bone density, I was all in. But last week, I wanted all out.
When my warm-up set felt like I was trying to deadlift my car, and my legs felt weak and noodle-y, I knew it was going to be a rough morning. My trainer, Mark, empathized. He said he has those days, too. He encouraged me to “attack the lift” and have an “aggressive posture” from the get-go. Then he said something profound:
“Don’t be a victim to the weight.”
Once I made the conscious decision to attack the lift instead of being a victim to it, I hit a PR with my squat, dead lift, and press. Was I still shaky and noodle-y? Absolutely. Did I only perform 3.5 reps on my last press set? Indeed. But I left the gym feeling,
Empowered.
Later, I thought about the gym not being the only place I’ve been victim to the weight. Some relationships lately have felt like a thousand pounds, too. When I feel overlooked or criticized, my confidence wanes. Like progressive loading at the gym, small hurts can add disproportionately heavy burdens leaving my soul feel weak and noodle-y, as well.
What does it look like to attack the weight of life outside the gym? A lot like it does inside it. I must be patient with the process. I can’t squat 175 pounds today and 225 tomorrow. Relational hurts can’t be “fixed” overnight. I can consciously choose to aggressively attack the weight of the condemning voices in my head or be victim to them by believing them. I must combat defeatist thinking by taking an aggressive posture; I can stand knowing what the Bible says about me even if I fail or sin – that I am forgiven (Psalm 103:12), loved, (Romans 5:8) and fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
I can choose to not be a victim to the weight – at the gym and in life – by choosing what voice I listen to; the lies of enemy or like Mark modeled so well, the voice of One who empathizes, encourages, and leaves me feeling confident and
Empowered.