"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me."
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
The 1913 Webster's Secondary School Dictionary that sits on my desk defines the word resilience as "n. Act or capacity of rebounding."
Given that in this world we will know trouble, mastering the art of the rebound sounds wise. Don't you think? Cultivating the strength to thrive in any circumstance, come what may (much like our friend the tree above,) seems like something we might want to prepare ourselves for.
This is a lesson life handed me repeatedly and persistently for many many years, as you may already know. But, as life has found a little more balance and peace, that school of hard knocks training has begun to wane a bit.
I would never pretend I have it all under control or that life is nothing but roses, but the daily need to face down beasts has come with more friendly beasts of late.
I have to tell you, I really don't want to lose my edge when it comes to knowing that His grace and power are sufficient, when it comes to being willing to allow His power to rest on me in my weakness, when it comes to a willingness to ask for and receive His help.
When it comes to doing the hard things, how can we prepare ourselves so that like a language or well-honed skill, we won't be stumbling, fumbling, scrambling as a result of disuse when the next challenge arrives?
Though, in all transparency, all life challenges are distinct and will therefore demand something unique of us. But, how can we best prepare ourselves for days when hard things come?
Please don't laugh or roll your eyes.
Okay, it's okay if you do either or both.
I believe the way we best prepare ourselves for powerful resiliency when life hands us hard things is to do hard things.
I know. Revolutionary!
But seriously...
Whether you stand under cold water at the end of a shower, do the physical exercise you know is best for you but you just don't wanna, or force yourself to do the hardest, most important thing you least want to do at the beginning of every day...
Anytime we choose to do something we really don't want to do, something hard, I believe we build that resiliency muscle so that we are able to be best prepared for anything the Father may have for us to do and/or any challenge life may throw our way.
And, I would assert that we should make a plan, craft a training strategy. We should implement tasks daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, whatever the Spirit whispers to you, to continue to grow our ability to be comfortable in the realm of the uncomfortable.
Do you need to do a bi-annual financial assessment with weekly checkins and monthly benchmark goals?
Do you need to establish a new fitness routine to constantly be pushing the boundaries?
Do you need to ask yourself how you can best honor God with what you use to nourish your cells, so you can be ever-ready and make some changes?
This is a fun one, isn't it??
(I can feel your eyes rolling from here.)
But really. He calls us to be prepared. In order to do that, we absolutely must push ourselves.
If you commit yourself in prayer time to ask Him which areas need consideration, attention, strategy, and action, I believe He will tell you. Then, when you ask Him for His power and grace, I believe the promise of Scripture, that He will lay them upon you in your weakness and help you to get it done.
I believe...
In Him and His willingness to be there for you...
And, in YOU.
Don't stress yourself out or overwhelm yourself with everything you'd like to see change or improve or grow all at once. Listen for His guidance and choose one or two standouts.
Normally, I would suggest looking for the low-hanging fruit so you can knock something out quickly and have the gratification of a result. In some ways, I suppose that's what you'll do, and that's a-okay, maybe that's exactly what you should do. Start with the small things if it will get you started. But, still...
Look for the hard thing(s.) Look for something you really don't want to do that will make a difference and do that.
Begin to grow that resiliency muscle so the bounce-back, the rebound, the instinct to call upon Him and know He has the strength for this, become second nature.
Okay? Is it a plan?
I challenge you!
I dare ya!
Whatever gets it done. ;)
You are a gift. Thanks for being here.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for helping us to get good at doing the hard things. Thank You for helping us to become masters of the rebound. Thank You for helping us to be well prepared for whatever You and/or life have in store for us.
We know that You have the strength for this. We know You are able to show up perfectly in our weakness, when we ask, receive, and are willing to put Your strength on display.
We love You. We choose You. We thank You.
All this we pray in the name of Your Son, Yeshua,
Amen.
"Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is." ~ Psalm 39:4
"Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9
"Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong." ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
Sharables! ...and, hey, thanks for sharing. ♥
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