Are You Resilient?
Good Morning Friends,
This morning I’m presenting a subject that can make a significant difference for your life, your work and your future. The Hebrew writer encourages us to consider all the people of faith who have lived lives that honored the Lord and have gone on before us. They are surrounding us and cheering us on as we run with perseverance the race of life. I’m using the term “resilience” in place of perseverance. Some translation use the word endurance. It means you finish and that means that if you fall down, you get back up. Part of it addresses the challenge of mental health in the lives of those around us and of ourselves. The good news is that the greatest men and women of the Bible were not superhuman people but they had great resilience. The key here is continuing to grow in faith and love. The people in the Bible always seem to be in the tension of life seeking a balance between assertiveness and belonging, active engagement and reflection. To be such a person one has to bounce back from defeats, discouragements or hardships. When I think of the people I admire, they are those kind of people who fight the hard and long fight. They are filled with an overcoming attitude that expects God to use them regardless of their handicaps. Resigning oneself to defeat is not a normal response for a resilient believer because they know that God is greater than any problem and His mighty power working through them enables them to do everything God asks them to do with the help of Christ who gives them the strength, wisdom and love to get the job done. Are You Resilient?
Scripture: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NRSV)
Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
2 Timothy 3:10 (NRSV)
Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
James 5:11 (NRSV)
“Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.“
Romans 5:3-5 (NRSV)
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Mark 10:52 (NIV)
Message: Friends, resilience is a lifestyle that promotes mental health. It is having a clear life purpose and a practiced self-control. It is living with praise and generosity. It is forgiving those who offend. It is being healed and seeing. Resilience is pressing on to the goal. But it is also affirming the presence of God and abiding with patience and adjusting to the obstacles placed before us.
In addition to the great heroes of faith the Bible referenced in Hebrews 11 there are New Testament examples as well of people who have resilience. Paul, the apostle showed resilience when he met up with Jewish resistance. Timothy showed resilience when the elders looked down on his youthfulness. Mark, showed resilience, by making such a great comeback. Peter evidenced great resilience after stumbling badly many times with great shame in the eyes of many. Christ showed resilience when He resurrected from the dead showing everyone His power to defeat the world and even death through His resurrection power that is greater than life itself. Friends, know that a vital Christian faith imparts to you a therapy of personal significance, a therapy of personal security and a therapy of spiritual power. This is true individually and corporately. The goal friends is to live life abundantly. There is a connection between faith and resilience that cannot be ignored.
Pray we realize that our faith can make us well. Pray
we develop a calm endurance that comes with the knowledge that God is in charge. Pray we realize that resilience not speed is the key to the race in life. Pray we have joyful endurance. Pray we become spiritually mature.
Pray that we have the endurance and the faith to experience the purpose of God. Pray that when life seems unfair that we be true in the adversity. Pray we are tenacious when afflicted. Pray we are thankful when accused. Pray that evil collapse before us. Pray that when we suffer we be restored to experience joy but also in the process be part of a greater restoration. Pray we reject counterfeit blessings and claim those that God intends for us. Pray we are a strong example with Christ.
Pray we not stop short before the work is done. Pray we not miss a step along the way. Pray we remember where we have been, where we are now and where we want to be. Pray that God makes us strong. Pray we grow in the trials. Pray we turn tests into triumphs. Pray we allow God to make us into what He wants us to be. Pray we let perseverance do its intended work. Pray we have the courage to change those things that need to change. Pray we have the wisdom to know what cannot be changed. Pray we grow in love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 