Paths of Least Resistance

Original post: May 6, 2020. Edited.

We often visualize flowing creeks, streams, and rivers when thinking of this idea of paths of least resistance. They will move around rocks and earth to find the easiest route to take them on their journey.

We pretty much do the same thing with the many paths traveled in our lives. It’s not necessarily the best thing, but we still do it. We cut corners. We cut time. We avoid. We quit. Anything to make life easier.

I once shared with you about a time in my life when I was mad at God. I was angry because I felt I did what was expected of me by God but the situation I was in fell apart anyway. It was disastrous. Regardless, I became angry and I walked away from Him. Granted, I still knew He was there. He continued to bless me in so many ways. I was acting like a child and not speaking to Him. The situation I was in relied on two people to make it work. Not just one. I realized that but still continued to be “mad” at God. Do you know why? Because being mad at God gave me an excuse to do nothing. It was easy. I didn’t have give Him my time or my energy. I could do what I wanted. My path of least resistance.

That went on for a couple of years. Would that have ended well for me in the end? How long before He would have been done with me? He turned His back on His people all through history to teach them lessons. I am glad He gave me the time to figure things out. He surely didn’t have to, but then again, this is why He is an awesome God.

Sometimes, as parents, we follow the path of least resistance in rearing our children. Let’s face it, raising kids is difficult. It is a 24/7 job for 18 years. When we threaten a discipline, we often back out. We threaten and threaten and they get their way because we quit. We are too tired to get up and take the cookie jar away. We pick up all their toys while they happily watch Barney. We put them in a timeout until they decide when time’s up. We give them treats to stop a tantrum. You understand. We’ve all done it to some degree. We’ve followed the path of least resistance. Sometimes even to the detriment of our children.

What is our attitude when someone calls upon us for help? Do we ignore them. I’m just gonna float around that big rock in the middle of this river.

The path of least resistance….

Often times, pleas for help and encouragement can only be heard in things left unsaid. We need to learn to listen specifically to what a person is not saying. Pain is often camouflaged by anger or reclusiveness. If we know that someone is struggling, or even if we wonder if a person is struggling, the right thing to do is to find out if they need help and if they do, we need to open ourselves to them, without reservation or expectation. Wearing blinders is following the path of least resistance.

Do we give our all at work? Or do we try to make it look as though we’ve done a thorough job? Do we cut corners? Do we allow a coworker to take blame for our laziness and incompetence? Do we cover up our paths of resistance with lies, excuses, and whiteout?

How about your marriage? Are you giving your all to the one who holds your heart? Do you make that person feel that they are the most special person to you in all the world? Or do you give them minimal time and effort? Do you listen to them? Or better yet, do you hear them? Is your relationship with your phone more important than building, supporting, and nurturing your relationship? Because marriage certainly does not stop with “I do”. Marriage is a nonstop commitment of working together, of raising each other up, of sacrifice, of loving, learning and growing, and of giving. Don’t follow the path of least resistance in your marriage.

These are just a few examples of how we avoid doing difficult things, right things. But anything of value, and everything good, is hard work. And it is truly worth every bit of time and energy spent traveling through the obstacles instead of around them. My own salvation depends on getting off the path of least resistance. I am a work in progress.

The path of least resistance sounds like the easy way to go but it goes against all that Jesus teaches us. Be mindful of the path you are traveling. It could cost you more than realize.

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you found something of value here. Always be grateful. ♥️

Andi

Photo credits: first: Mattea, senior photo taken by her brother, Jet, of jetkaiserfilms.com; second: Cataract Falls (lower), November 2019, third: arial view of Maine, October 2019; fourth: Denae, rejoicing on a leaf-laden pathway, fall of 2011