What You Resist Persists

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a never-ending struggle with your own emotions, only to find them growing stronger with each attempt to push them away? This is the paradox of resistance—the more we fight against something, the more power it seems to gain over us. It’s a frustrating cycle that many of us find ourselves trapped in, but understanding it can be the first step toward breaking free.

Resistance is like trying to hold back a tidal wave. The harder we push against it, the more it surges forward, relentless and unstoppable. Whether it’s a painful emotion, a difficult conversation, or an inconvenient truth, resisting it only makes it more formidable. It’s as if our very resistance feeds the problem, allowing it to grow stronger and more overwhelming.

I’ve been there myself—trying to ignore feelings of anxiety, avoiding conversations I dreaded, and pretending that problems didn’t exist. The more I resisted, the bigger these issues grew, until they seemed insurmountable. It was like trying to keep a lid on a pot of boiling water; the more I pressed down, the more the pressure built until it finally exploded.

But what if we chose to confront our challenges instead of resisting them? Acceptance doesn’t mean surrendering or giving up. It means acknowledging the reality of a situation and facing it with courage and openness. When we stop resisting, we allow ourselves to see things clearly and to address them directly.

I remember a particularly challenging period in my life when anxiety felt like an ever-present companion. I resisted it fiercely, hoping it would disappear if I ignored it long enough. But the more I fought, the more it consumed me. It wasn’t until I stopped resisting and began to explore the root causes of my anxiety that I started to find peace. By accepting the anxiety, I was able to address the underlying issues and regain control of my life.

This principle applies to all areas of our lives. When we resist difficult conversations, the tension only escalates. When we avoid challenges, they become more daunting. But when we face them with an open mind and a willing heart, we often find that they lose their power over us.

So, the next time you find yourself resisting something—whether it’s an emotion, a situation, or a difficult conversation—pause and reflect. What are you afraid of? What might happen if you embraced the challenge instead of pushing it away? You might discover that what you feared was not as overwhelming as you imagined. By accepting and addressing it, you open the door to growth, understanding, and freedom.

Remember, what you resist persists. But what you accept and confront can be transformed. The choice is yours, and with it comes the power to change your life.