I don’t think of myself as resilient.
When I consider resilience, I think of Mother Teresa taking care of the sick. Or of Gandhi being beaten by English guards without raising his hand in defense. I think of Congressman John Lewis, marching across the Edmund Pettus bridge in support of civil rights and being beaten by police and thrown to jail, yet continuing to fight.
But, I was reminded today by one of my favorite webcomics that resilience can also be just getting out of bed in the morning. Getting to work on time. Getting the laundry done. Reading a story to your kid when all you want to do is lie down and take a nap.
In the past, I have lost a job. I have lost friends and loved ones. I have felt alone and miserable and without hope. And yet I do keep going, in spite of these things.
So I ask myself, “what does resilience mean to me?” Suffering loss and continuing on with your life. Loving again, in spite of being hurt. Moving on from tragedy and bad circumstances. Standing up after being knocked down. Resilience is the strength to continue the struggle long after others have given up. Resilience is hope. Hope for something more. Hope for something better.
I know I rely on my wife, family and friends for support through life’s trials and tragedies, but I also know that God has given me the gift of these connections to sustain me.
I think of Jesus in the garden Gethsemane, praying to His Father.
Mark 14:32-36
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Even Jesus brings his friends along for support in his time of need. Even Jesus faced distress and trouble. His Father is also my Father. And yours. Our Father is there for us in our times of fear, depression and need. He is why we can be resilient in the face of terrible things. This faith in these hard times can sustain us all.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.
About the Author
Mark lives in Oregon with his lovely wife, Darla and enjoys reading, writing, playing games and working to make the world a better place. He currently serves CitySalt church as a sound engineer and on the church council.