STANDING ALONGSIDE
A client comes into the gym and shares that she has recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She’s asking how to change her workouts to slow the progression of the illness and ease her discomfort, but she’s clearly struggling to accept the news. How do you support her emotionally?
It’s far easier for fitness professionals to focus on the body, not the heart. Very few are comfortable addressing another’s grief, loss, fears, frustrations and more. It feels overwhelming to ask another about his or her emotional world when we don’t have easy answers to ease the pain.
While working out can ease the mental and emotional tension of the brokenhearted, nothing is more effective than the care and concern of another human being. Christian Fitness professionals have a unique opportunity to stand alongside those who are working out issues in their lives without having to fix the problem. Jesus said to “mourn with those who mourn,” which simply means we “hold a space” for their pain. Some simple ways to minister to another’s pain include:
- Grief and loss are closely tied with one’s identity. Remind injured or ill clients or members that their physical condition doesn’t define them – Jesus does.
- When someone is struggling with “Why me?” redirect their attention to “What’s next?” to help relocate their hope in God’s plan for their life.
READ ABOUT ALL 5 MINISTRIES OF A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL
- Invitation 2. Listening 3. Standing Alongside 4. Teaching 5. Praying
2 Responses
Hello so encouraged for this
And I want to be able to start something like this in my home country which is Tanzania.
Can I have a contact of a Christian fitness trainer or someone I can talk to about this .
I would really appreciate it.
Hi Jemimah! We would love to connect you with one of our amazing instructors or Enrollment Counselors to tell you more about Holy Yoga and our community. The simplest way is to head to http://www.holyyoga.net and click on the chat box to speak to someone, or you can email me personally at jenm@holyyoga.net. Can’t wait to connect!