On October 7, 2018, Tazio Gavioli set a new world record by completing 36 consecutive pull-ups.
With his pinkies.
I’m not sure I’ve done 36 pull-ups in my whole life, using all ten fingers. And while I admire this incredible feat by the Italian pull-up king, it sends two dangerous messages.
Dangerous message #1 – Pinky pull-ups are a good idea.
Dangerous message #2 – Self-reliance is a good idea.
We can only pull ourselves up to an extent. Even Gavioli couldn’t do it 37 times. Paul warned, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves, but our sufficiency comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).
Aimee Imbeau said it like this, in The Problem with Self-Reliance. “The belief that ‘I can do this on my own’ is a dangerous trap, one that will keep you in bondage.”
Recovery Step: If you’re into pull-ups, trust your pinkies. But if you’re into recovery, trust your God.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
