resilience

All of us need a resilience toolbox, especially when the world is stressed out 

• political divisions, 
• culture shifts, 
• daily violence, 
• a pandemic with no vaccine.  

And then there is the everyday stress of 

• chores, 
• child-raising, 
• homework, 
• working from home, 
• and relationships.

Here are some good things for the toolbox: 

• Exercise.
• Deep breathing. 
• Prayer. 
• Naps.
• Screen and phone check-ins with loved ones.
• Crafts. 
• Baking. 
• Punching bags. 
• Volunteering.

Here are bad things for the toolbox: 

• Opioids. 
• Overeating. 
• Overdrinking. 
• Hitting people.

We are called to be people (individually and together as the church) who build resilience. I say build because this not something that arrives fully worked out. This is more than memorizing verses about God loving the sparrow – although those verses are true. 

I’m talking about redeeming trauma. I’m talking about nurturing healthy relationships. I’m talking about being who we are called to be.

A recent article in the New York Times says that resilient people share these characteristics:

• They have a positive, realistic outlook. 
• They have a moral compass.
• They have a belief in something greater than themselves.
• They are altruistic; they have a concern for others and a degree of selflessness.
• They accept what they cannot change and focus energy on what they can change.
• They have a mission, a meaning, a purpose.
• They have a social support system, and they support others.

How are we (individually and together as the church) modelling these characteristics? How do we see these characteristics in the life of Jesus? Can you think of a more resilient human being than Jesus?

How can we build resilience to the glory of God – not only for our own sakes, but for the purpose of being strong enough to help others cope and thrive?

How can we (individually and together as the church) create healthy toolboxes for God’s people? The world is going to need them for a long, long time.