Resilience

It has been said that people in the United States face two absolutes: death and taxes.

This is often trumped with, “No, there is only one absolute: death!”  How so?  Because, one can refuse or fail to pay taxes and become a number in the prison system and not a taxpayer.

It needs to also be understood that a sure thing in this world, besides death, is suffering.  It is sure!  It is coming – to everyone! 

Suffering can be the result of many things such as: divorce, mockery, passed over, accidents, a spouse’s affair, a friend turned an enemy, the suicide of a friend, a pink slip, a failed business that leaves one unemployed, bullying, a failed investment, when not getting the lead role or the contract, etc.

And suffering can take many forms among which are weeping, emptiness, depression, poverty, fear, and anger.

The reality of suffering is often denied or downplayed in our own minds and before our children – like death, which we have greatly “sanitized” (that is, made it as quiet and gentle as possible). But like death, suffering is sure so it behooves us to grasp its reality and prepare for it.  It is critical that we develop both a mindset concerning its coming as well as a game plan as to how to cope when it does.  So says God:

I Peter 4:1, Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind AND Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, I Peter 4:1, 12.

What we need to learn and to teach our children is resiliency.

Dictionary:  the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness

M/W: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change

Psychology Today:  Rather than letting difficulties, traumatic events, or failure overcome them and drain their resolve, highly resilient people find a way to change course, emotionally heal, and continue moving toward their goals. 

Therefore, we need to build a mental strength TODAY for that which is coming TOMORROW or soon!  We need to prepare now as to how we will cope, to whom will we turn and what might be the purpose or benefit of suffering?

Here are some truths to grasp – and to teach our children:

Ephesians 6:13, Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

AND I Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

I Peter 1:6-7, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

II Corinthians 12:9-10, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Suffering looms!  Prepare today for a response that will be pleasing to God and even used by God to impact one’s self and those around.  That prep means realizing God’s full control over all and that He uses suffering to move people to salvation and toward greater Christ-likeness.