The Gifts of Resistance
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, by Steven Pressfield came at just the right time. Well, maybe not. It is a curious time to unpack my own resistance when I have so little time to do so. However, I am receiving this opportunity as a timely invitation that can encourage my final writing projects. The end of my semester is rather full. My creative mind wants to be somewhere else rather than tasked with writing final papers. Work responsibilities, my son’s wedding, new grandbabies, Christmas, and all my adult children coming home at various times over the next month is a lot to work around. Along with my studies these are priorities to which I have made unwavering commitments. At the moment resistance feels like a strong headwind slowing me down. I am certainly feeling the thousands of words written so far this semester and wondering if there are any creative juices left to finish well. I find validation in Pressfield’s words, “The danger is greatest when the finish line is in sight.”[1]
Steven Pressfield states in the opening un-numbered pages of his book that we have two lives, “The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.” I am curious about what is unlived. This doctoral program is helping me discover it. Yet, I feel caught between these two worlds. I don’t want to miss out on the life I am living. I am struggling to differentiate between my priorities and my resistance. Pressfield goes on to say, “Resistance is fear.”[2] When I consider resistance as fear it opens up space for me to consider what am I afraid of that keeps me from my writing. He continues, “Master the fear and we conquer resistance.”[3] The only way I know how to do that is to name my fears, challenge them with truth, and make adjustments as needed.
Naming my Fears
Fear: I have not set my priorities straight and neglected some very important people.
Truth: I know my priorities and they are well set. This is a different season where certain priorities have risen to the top temporarily. My husband and family have been very understanding and accommodating. I have shifted my time and set plans to be with them appropriately and said no to certain things during this season.
Fear: That my final papers will not be what I hope them to be and won’t perfectly reflect how I am processing my leadership learning or my NPO.
Truth: Perfect isn’t the goal! I am enjoying my academic journey.
Fear: I have not managed my time well enough this semester.
Truth: As I looked over my appointment book and calendar, I notice a reasonable work-study schedule and ample breaks. The travel schedule was a significant challenge this semester. I was away from home for 40-days. This contributed to my regular rhythms being off, illness, and fatigue which I was not expecting.
Fear: Self-doubt is creeping in.
Truth: Thankfully, our author is on my side when he writes, “The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.”[4] Being honest about my fears is far more authentic.
Fear: I don’t have what it takes.
Truth: Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I am confident that God has me on this journey and will see me through to the end.
Fear: I have not been as fully present as I desire to be.
Truth: There have been times when I have been distracted and not fully present. There have also been times when I was fully present and attentive.
Fear: I am afraid of isolating too much.
Truth: This writing process is an invitation to be alone with myself and my God.[5]
Adjustments
- Return to my regular rhythms.
Action step: 20 minutes of centering prayer 5-days per week.
Action step: Plan a silent retreat for January and June.
- Pray through my upcoming travel schedule.
Action step: make adjustments as needed.
- Rest and enjoy my family over the break.
Befriending Resistance
Pressfield noted that resistance is self-sabotage.[6] I don’t necessarily disagree but I would like to challenge that perspective. In counseling we call this a reframe. What happens if I consider resistance my friend? Befriending my resistance means I can accept my humanity and practice self-compassion. Awareness and acceptance of my resistance and procrastination habits means I can do something about them. For example, in moments when I feel unproductive or uninspired, I can rest or focus on something else without judgment, fully trusting that something creative will emerge. Befriending resistance is an invitation to personal growth and change.
The Gift of Resistance
Resistance is a reminder that there is something important, a calling perhaps, that needs my attention. If it wasn’t important there would be no resistance. Resistance will always be present. Resistance is an invitation that points me to the God who made me, wants to be with me, and has called me to do creative things only I can do. Pressfield writes, “Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It is a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”[7] I find these final words personally encouraging. They are an invitation to move past resistance. What I create or write doesn’t have to be perfect because it is a unique expression of myself in this given time and space. I will never be here in this moment again. It is in the working out and the attempt to create something new that gives way for a gift the world just might need.
[1] Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles (New York: Black Irish Entertainment LLC, 2002), 18.
[2] Steven Pressfield, The War of Art, 55.
[3] Ibid., 16.
[4] Ibid., 39.
[5] Ibid., 144-146.
[6] Ibid., 19.
[7] Ibid., 165.
About the Author
Jenny Dooley
Jenny served as a missionary in Southeast Asia for 28 years. She currently resides in Gig Harbor, Washington, where she works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Spiritual Director in private practice with her husband, Eric. Jenny loves to listen and behold the image of God in others. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family which include 5 amazing adult children, 3 awesome sons-in-law, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and 8 delightful grandchildren.13 responses to “The Gifts of Resistance”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Thanks for your post. I resonated with so much of what you wrote. “Perfect isn’t the goal! I am enjoying my academic journey.” I needed to hear that. Just this morning I made some major steps forward on my final paper and was immediately struck by self-doubt and fear about the upcoming next steps. Your words are an encouragement to me, especially your action steps. One step at a time, right?
Hi Kim,
I woke up with the same self doubt. Probably because I am only at the beginning of my final paper and a week from today all the wedding celebrations begin. Now that my head is a bit clearer and I re-read my own words I know I will be OK. This is a academically and personally a wonderful season and I want to enjoy every moment, but I can’t deny that it is hard. I simply don’t have time to cave into resistance! Enjoy your accomplishment and the holiday season. What is it like for you and your family to celebrate Christmas in France?
Jenny, I love this idea that resistance can be a gift that points out something that is really important. And I was encouraged by how you framed fear/truth. Thanks for a great post.
Thanks Tim,
The Fear/Truth/Action Step technique is my adapted version of a tool I use with clients dealing with negative or shame beliefs about self. The more we name things the less power they have over us and more agency we have over them. It is surprisingly hard to name our fears. But when we do we can determine what is true and what is not. I often discover that what I fear is likely never going to happen and that many fears are common to everyone.
Jenny, I really appreciated the vulnerability of this post. If naming your fears is gives you power over them, doing so publicly will multiply the power.
Additionally, the nuanced way that you have taken the perceived negative of resistance and turned it into a tool for listening to God’s guiding is really brilliant.
Hi Jennifer,
I don’t know about you but sometimes my resistance might be towards God and what He is calling me to do. I have a ready “Yes” to most things but my pace is often slow. I’m never quite for sure if my being slow and thoughtful while making decisions is seeking God’s timing or my resistance. In either case I seem to get there in the end. I have to make resistance my friend or I will never get anything done. If not I will get stuck in a shame and self-doubt trap. Getting started is the hardest first step.
Jenny, this was such a great post! The fear – truth framework you produced here is something to come back to, for sure. I thought about Pressfield’s statement that you quoted: “‘The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.'” This doctorate — actually completing my doctoral studies — was previously an “unlived” life within me, constantly giving into Resistance, even though I started a doctoral program many years ago when our children were small. Last year, I decided to plow through Resistance and told myself this was the time to go back to doctoral studies, now that our children were adults. And now, I — along with you and everyone else in this cohort — can see the finish line, only 17ish more months to go. Which, of course, is according to Pressfield, when the greatest danger lurks. Ha! But this time, it’s different. Age, responsibilities, and experience are now my allies.
Hi Travis,
I think our journey’s to the doctoral program are similar. Getting a doctorate was a wild thought as I finished my undergrad and then 25 -years of raising kids before I went back to school. Then… I thought and prayed about this program for 4-years before I applied. I don’t think I could have done this at a younger age or enjoyed it so much. I totally agree that age, responsibilities, and experience have been my allies! It’s hard to believe we only have 17-months to go!
You DO have so much on your plate this month! And somehow, it will get done and with love. Your family is so blessed.
Thanks for adding in your adjustments. It reminds me to regroup, enjoy family, and bring intentionality back into the realm as I move into the new year.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Esther,
One last paper to finish. I think my head will explode Haha!
I want to enjoy it and then let it all go for a month. My adjustments have started. At first I thought I would wait until the semester is done but that would have been foolish. I am enjoying my early morning centering prayer once again.
Happy Christmas!!
Jenny,
This sentence was revelational to me. “Befriending my resistance means I can accept my humanity and practice self-compassion. Awareness and acceptance of my resistance and procrastination habits means I can do something about them.”
Being Human, practicing self-compassion. Not knowing you continue to minister me in some amazing ways. Perhaps I have too hard on myself lately. Feeling guilty when I feel passionate about things that upset me. Ah well…I am loving the journey HE has given me.
Shalom…
Hi Russell,
You encourage me to with your passion for immigration. I enjoy witnessing your excitement and enthusiasm! Practicing self-compassion and accepting my humanity is an invitation to freedom. I’m more creative when I’m free… happier too. It is a continual journey for me as well. The old “do betters” and “try harders” I have discovered over the years are not helping me out.
Blessings on your upcoming endeavors in Ukraine!
Hey Jennnnnnnnnnny Dooley. Yeah, doesn’t work as great that way.
Pressfield’s “The War of Art” offers insights into battling resistance, especially during demanding times. Your personal struggles with balancing priorities and overcoming fear align with his perspective.
Naming and addressing fears, like not meeting writing expectations, helps confront resistance. Embracing resistance as a reminder of important callings can lead to personal growth and valuable contributions. Your reflections provide a thoughtful response to Pressfield’s ideas.