When you lift weights to build muscle, there’s a distinct possibility you could get a motion started – bringing the barbell stacked with plates down to your chest – and suddenly find you lack the strength to safely get it back up. That’s why having a spotter is so important. They stand with you to help when your own muscles fail. Good ones will even help you keep count, encourage you to keep going, or coach you if you start to get sloppy. Now, not everyone uses a spotter. Some are too isolated or too proud to ask, so they limit themselves to weight they know they can lift…or just risk it. When their strength fails, hopefully someone will be paying enough attention to run over and help before they get seriously hurt.
As growing Christians, there will be times we need help. God is so sure of it that He commands us to watch out for each other: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2 ESV). Instead of just privately exercising our own faith, we are to be aware when someone around us is struggling and go help (cf. Jam. 5:19-20). When Simon the (former) Sorcerer was out of line, the Apostle Peter saw it clearly and corrected him: “Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:22-23). To Simon’s credit, he seemed to receive the correction: “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me” (Acts 8:24).
Now when you get into trouble while lifting, it is a blessing to have someone come help…though it is hard to feel thankful for it. You mostly feel embarrassed, especially when others’ eyes were drawn to the commotion. So instead of finding a weight is more than you can handle while you’re lifting it, maybe expect to fail – and ask someone to spot you before you even get started. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:8-9).
As a Christian, it isn’t a question of if you will sin or need help. You will and you do. So, if you want to be spiritually healthy and strong, let go of your pride and ask someone to spot you. Who in your life is following Jesus that you feel comfortable talking to? Set up regular times of prayer with them. Pray about the ways you want to grow stronger. Be open about your weaknesses and failures. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (Jam. 5:16). Who’s spotting you this week? If you want to get stronger, you need someone.