This morning I had three sets of five pull-ups to do with forty-five second rest periods between sets. I'm hoping to get these dialed in enough that I can begin reducing the rest time until I am down to only fifteen seconds between sets and then increasing the repetitions and bringing my rest back up before reducing it again. Anyhow, my last pull-up session, I made all three sets of five, but it was a struggle and not at all pretty. This time my first set was so clean and easy, I felt surely things were looking up. However, on my second set things started to fall apart. I still made five reps for the second set, but after the second repetition they became a real struggle. I was afraid I might not complete the third set, but I did also manage to barely eek it out.
I felt like doing pull-ups itself for me today was a metaphor for working on bettering myself. I continue to put in the effort, and sometimes it's harder than other times, but by continuing to recalibrate and persevere I improve a little at a time. Not always a noticeable amount, but if I could be the same me I was twenty years ago for a day, I'd likely find myself unable to put up with so many things that I have since adapted to. I was almost surely stronger physically and more consistent for a longer stretch with daily scripture study and prayer even at that point in time, but I hadn't developed the skills of balancing those things with a family and grown to take on the responsibilities I deal with at work.
I guess my encouragement here is that whether it feels like you're improving or not, keep with it, ask for guidance from above and/or others around if needed. Behaviors that are repeated are reinforced and strengthened, but it takes time. Let's make sure we are reinforcing the behaviors we want strengthened and working to minimize those patterns in our life we could do without.
The extra beauty of putting on our true source of strength, Jesus Christ, that even when we aren't enough he can make the difference if we let him.
Be strong!
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