In school, students are taught that the shortest path between two points is a straight line.
While that proves true in geometry, rarely is the path on a faith and fitness journey as simple. Whether it’s prayer life, a Bible reading plan or a workout regimen, rarely do those pursuits come without challenges.
It’s how one tackles those challenges that determines the sustainability of such efforts.
In Episode 3 of Muscles + Mission, Brent Adams and Michele Sotak discuss how planning, perseverance and prayer all play a role in determining faith and fitness outcomes.
“We have to look past the obstacle that’s right in front of us and trust and have faith that we can overcome that obstacle. It’s not always going to be there,” Sotak said. She adds that obstacles should not be viewed as endpoints, but rather as opportunities for growth.
Getting past that obstacle takes “upfront courage and fortitude to do that and persevere through hardships,” Sotak added. “As Christians, we don’t give up. That’s the last thing we do. We never give up hope…as long as there’s purpose and meaning, we continue to move forward in the journey because that’s what we’re meant to do throughout life is to really grow and become better disciples.”
The trials, she notes, provide a foundation for trusting God through adversity.
So how does one overcome obstacles? Sotak says it’s about changing mindset.
“We need to try to implement easy grabs where we can,” Sotak said, adding that taking baby steps and racking up small victories will eventually lead to confidence and greater motivation.
Sotak, the founder of the Faith and Fitness program at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral, has created The Warrior Plan, which establishes a pathway for spiritual and fitness disciplines. She also has incorporated the plan into physical and mental health training she provides to law enforcement officials in the state of Illinois.
“If you’re spiritually fit and you’re physically fit, nothing can stop you,” Sotak said, adding that the plan is rooted in intentionality, so when the tough times show up, there is an answer.
“We want to look at practical things like, where are three places I can exercise or three places I could practice my faith?” she said. “On a day where you are tired and you don’t want to think about it, you don’t have a decision fatigue moment.”
That might mean exercise in the form of taking a walk, working in the yard or hitting the gym.
The plan also inspires participants to identify their “why.”
“You choose three motivations so that on a day where you’re not motivated… you’re on fire for these things,” Sotak said. “It has to go beyond the intrinsic. It could be something along the lines of (wanting to be in a) better mood or getting better at balance.”
And whether it’s protecting prayer time or maintaining consistency in a workout schedule, Sotak says the motivators will be what keeps the sabotagers at bay.
“This is where the warrior part of you comes through, because in order for you to have fortitude to get over your sabotagers, you have to be able to know what they are, like know yourself and be able to know exactly what are the things that throw you off,” Sotak said.