October 27th, 2021
Written by Desiree Visser
Do you ever wonder why the unpredictable is so difficult to bear? Stable and secure environments are great because the stress one experiences there is quantifiable and expected. But why is it so difficult to function in the flux - the uncertain, and the ever-changing? I frequently hear the words “it will be better when things settle down” and I am struck by the notion that nothing ever actually stays the same.
It is the resilient individual who copes in the chaos because he or she has the ability to remain flexible and open-minded despite the uncertainty of the situation. When we resist challenges and hardships or try to make things easier, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to grow and to become more resilient.
Zach Mercurio says “We do not thrive despite our challenges; we thrive BECAUSE OF our challenges”. Difficulty actually helps us grow and teaches us to be resilient. Through the challenges we face, we become aware of skills and resources we did not necessarily know we had. The key is REFLECTION. You can go through a really difficult time, and come out the other side without learning from the experience OR you can stop and ask the following questions:
The Bible echoes this pursuit of growth in Romans 5:3 – 5 “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The Word of God is so powerful:
Difficulty and adversity are unavoidable; change will happen and it will be hard. Turn to the Lord so that in those moments He can foster resilience within you, and may you find hope to endure and mature.
It is the resilient individual who copes in the chaos because he or she has the ability to remain flexible and open-minded despite the uncertainty of the situation. When we resist challenges and hardships or try to make things easier, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to grow and to become more resilient.
Zach Mercurio says “We do not thrive despite our challenges; we thrive BECAUSE OF our challenges”. Difficulty actually helps us grow and teaches us to be resilient. Through the challenges we face, we become aware of skills and resources we did not necessarily know we had. The key is REFLECTION. You can go through a really difficult time, and come out the other side without learning from the experience OR you can stop and ask the following questions:
- What was the most difficult part of this experience for me?
- What did I learn about myself in this time?
- What personal strength was I able to rely on to help me?
- What could I have done differently?
- What thought helped me endure?
The Bible echoes this pursuit of growth in Romans 5:3 – 5 “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The Word of God is so powerful:
- HOPE enables us to endure the difficult time. For believers, it is this hope of the glory of God that gives us purpose and a vision for our lives.
- SUFFERING refers to those challenges and difficulties that make us grow and develop the skill set to thrive.
- PERSEVERANCE builds CHARACTER – this is resilience!
Difficulty and adversity are unavoidable; change will happen and it will be hard. Turn to the Lord so that in those moments He can foster resilience within you, and may you find hope to endure and mature.
Posted in Life
Tagged with Resilience, Perseverance, hope, Change, Uncertainty, suffering, Endurance
Tagged with Resilience, Perseverance, hope, Change, Uncertainty, suffering, Endurance
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