Resilience

Ironically I'm writing a blog on resilience as I'm day-two-cooped-up in my room feeling sick as a dog. I've wanted to write on this for a few months now.

Oh, to be resilient.

"re·sil·ient/rəˈzilyənt / adjective 1. (of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions." Dictionary.com

Naturally I am a baby. A weenie. A pansy.

Something I had to dissect with my counselor at one point is I have an "I'm not strong enough" mindset, both physically and mentally/emotionally. I don't know how it grew over time, but it did. My actions and reactions directly correlated with that subconscious identity.

If I don't do something perfectly the first time, my first instinct is to quit. If I feel "not good enough" in someone's eyes or even in my own, I will typically shut down. I see self deprecating "memes" about this stuff all the time. How come society has allowed this to become a mindset?

Well actually, I feel like it has been like this to certain extents varying from culture to culture for hundreds of years. I believe even the Bible has touched along these lines.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Does anyone here find trials joyful? James reminds us that trials are what ultimately grow us in our character.

Galatians 6:8 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

These four scriptures are very straightforward. Not only are we supposed to keep pressing on when things get hard, but we are supposed to grow from it!

In my own life, I have had many trials that have shaped who I am. Granted, when they first started happening my natural tendencies (the ones stated above) definitely took over.

Did you know 18 year old me asked for trials? Yes. She sure did. And a few years later here I am sort of annoyed but also very grateful that those trials happened! lol My health has been a source of frustration, but dealing with the physical pain and the CONSTANT disappointment I had about how others respond to my health issues has really reshaped how I view God and His faithfulness. His constant provision and encouragement and steadfastness is (obviously) unmatched. I also now know my physical limits and even though technically that doesn't "sound resilient," I know what's healthiest for me and when to put my foot down. That in itself has provided growth in my own character and abilities to say no. (A whole other blog post in itself!!!)

In addition to the fun health stuff, I've also had to bounce back from career disappointment. The career I thought I was supposed to have my whole life flew out the window a couple different times and I thought I had nothing to offer because of it. Luckily, there was more mindset shifting and heart shaping that took place and allowed me to place my identity in Christ rather than what I do with my life.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Resilience doesn't come easy. It's hard.

Jesus is our source of strength and rest. Luckily we don't just have to face obstacles in life... we have comfort, peace, and rest in life as well.

Grow from the trials. Consider it PURE JOY when you face trials. You are growing and shaping who you are by the way you respond to these things that come your way.