What is Resilience?
Resilience is ” the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties” (Oxford American Dictionary). This Resilience is the second ” R ” in #ITMW (Invoke the Mighty Warrior) acrostic: WARRIOR.
Why can we be Resilient?
We can be resilient because Jesus has given us warning of difficulties, and how to respond to it. Jesus tells us ” take heart” which mean be optimistic, and encouraged because he has overcome the world. ( John 16:33).
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
How to be Resilient?
1. Prepare yourself
Jesus tells us beforehand that difficulties will come so we can be ready to face them! (John 16:33). Just as a fighter trains before a fight we must train to be resilient when difficulties hit. We have to prepare our mind with the complete word of God in order to combat the tactics of the enemy.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6: 13-17
2. Focus on the Joy set before you
The devil wants us to forget the end, he also wants us to forget that Jesus rose from the grave – don’t forget that. The devil stands condemned and we justified through Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus and the Joy! Meditate on how it’s going to feel when you overcome! When we keep sight of Jesus and how he overcame the grave; we will do the same! We must realize that God will bring us back from death! Jesus is our promise and the reason we have the capacity to recover quickly from life’s difficulties.
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:2
Conclusion
- Prepare yourself for difficulties with the complete word of God
- Remember Jesus, and focus on the Joy set before you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are set apart, we confess we need your chosen one, Jesus, to show us the way to live. Thank you for Jesus, because of him we can be resilient, and rise above the difficulties. Hallelujah!
Homework
What other scripture deal with resilience, and pressing toward the mark? Leave comments below!