Resilience

God has a way of preparing us for the trials that we face. Even when we aren’t prepared, He always is. Each month as I look ahead at the materials and theme for our children’s lessons on Sunday morning, I find that I get ministered to more than the kids probably do. This month we’re talking about resilience. Our definition for resilience is “getting back up when something gets you down.” I think all of us can relate to those times when we are hit hard by unexpected events. There are a lot of emotions that we tend to go through: sadness, anger, regret, disappointment. These are all common feelings when we encounter a setback.

I am reminded of the constant struggles the apostles had to go through as they moved forward to establish the church and spread the Gospel after Jesus’ ascension. Jesus promised them that he would be with them always, but not exactly in the same way. In Acts, we see that promise fulfilled as the Holy Spirit descended upon them during Pentecost. From that point on things would continue to get tougher for Jesus’ followers. Peter and John went through constant questioning by the leaders of their former faith; Paul went through numerous trials of imprisonment, shipwrecks, and beatings; each apostle was eventually martyred for their belief and conviction that Jesus was the Son of God and defeated the grave. But this would not deter their faith, their convictions, or their love for God and the church.

The apostles gave us an example of resilience. They set the precedent for how we are to respond to tough times, hardships, setbacks of all kinds. They did not run from the Gospel, they relied on it. They did not blame God for their hardships, they trusted Him…and they trusted in each other. What others may have seen as an excuse to run away; they saw it as an opportunity for God to work. They did not let it deter them because they knew what the end result of their faithfulness was going to be. They showed resilience.

One of my favorite worship songs that has gotten me through some tough times is “Another in the Fire” by Hillsong United. The final chorus goes like this:

There’ll be another in the fire
Standing next to me
There’ll be another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
How good You’ve been to me
I’ll count the joy come every battle
‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be

Those battles and trials that we face can be times of joy because that’s when we know God will reveal Himself. No wonder James tells us to “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (1:2-4) 

We are given an opportunity to trust in God when we face trials. My challenge for all of us when we get knocked down by them is to get back up. Get back up because God is with us. Get back up because when it’s tough, God is more present than ever. Get back because we know that each time we do, we get stronger, more resilient. And as a church we should always look to help one another up as well. Find those people around you that are hurting and pray them, hug them, give them a lending hand. It’s in those moments that we feel the presence of God.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31