There’s a concept in fitness called time under tension. The idea is simple: the longer the muscle is under tension (controlled strain), the more it’s pushed to adapt and grow.
This principle doesn’t just apply to physical training—it’s a truth we can see in all areas of life.
If you’re terrified of heights, the best way to overcome that fear isn’t to avoid heights forever. Instead, you face them gradually. Exposure therapy works because our incredible ability to adapt kicks in. Over time, with repeated exposure, what once sent your heart racing becomes less overwhelming.
Adaptability is one of humanity’s greatest strengths. But here’s the catch: we can adapt to things that aren’t good for us, too.
There was a time when staring at a computer for 15 minutes felt exhausting. But we adapted. Now, many of us can spend 8 or more hours a day glued to a screen without a second thought. Or consider social media: scrolling for hours on end once felt unnatural, but it’s become second nature for so many.
It didn’t happen overnight. Our time under tension increased gradually, until we “built the muscle” to tolerate distractions, overstimulation, and constant noise.
And now, the new things to adapt to, are actually old ones—silence and solitude. These have become foreign to many of us, but they’re critical for prayer and our spiritual growth.
Start small. Five minutes of stillness. Slowly, stretch your tolerance for quiet and let God meet you there.