When a day opens with the same message from different sources, I pay attention. Surely God must be trying to tell me something important.
I had met some resistance with my daily meditation practice. An opportunity to study with a teacher for a period of time presented itself. He has defined through his study and practice seven hindrances (I love that word). These roughly align with what I learned long ago from John Climacus, aka St. John of the Ladder. These are:
- Restlessness
- Reluctance
- Worry
- Dullness
- Desire-craving
- Aversion-resistance
- Doubt
He advises becoming aware of which hindrance is interfering and just sitting with it. Recognize it. Label it. Maybe play with it in your mind.
It’s a bit like Steve Carter observed in his book on grief—Grieve, Breathe, Relieve. Sometimes you just have to sit with your grief for a period of time until you can breathe into it.
The next thing I read following the introduction of the hindrances to meditation and prayer came from my health and fitness app. The moderator asked us to define what is holding us pack from our regular fitness and nutrition practice. The first step to getting back on track is to recognize that hindrance. Then we can deal with it.
What is holding you back today from being the Jesus follower you were meant to be?
Faith Venture 
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