JESUS ON BEING RESILIENT

Nine Things Jesus Taught Us About Being Resilient

Life doesn’t seem to organize itself neatly into my categories. It doesn’t behave the way I need it to. It doesn’t always cooperate with my well-laid plans. And the older I get, the less life seems to cooperate – gravity and time add their burdens – so that now even my body is working against me! How do some people become resilient?

resliiency

 

Steve Maraboli said, “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.”  What can Jesus teach us about being resilient in the face of life’s challenges?

 

Nine Things Jesus Taught Us About Being Resilient

# 1 Acceptance

Acknowledge your thoughts, emotions, and circumstances for what they are, as they are.

 

In Gethsemane, Jesus acknowledged his feelings – “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mt. 26:38), and he accepted his circumstances – “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Mt 26:39).

 

#2 Stay Calm

Pay attention to your emotions, your bodies physical responses, and learn to tolerate uncomfortable feelings.

 

During his illegal trial, Jesus managed his emotions brilliantly and was able to say just the right thing at just the right time.

 

Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options. — Simon Sinek

 

#3 Be Authentic

Be true to yourself. Express what you feel and what you want, and ask for help.

 

Jesus had an encounter with a woman in the land of the Samaritans. There were plenty of reasons for Jesus to ignore her. She was a woman, a Samaritan, and a “sinner.” Jesus asked her for some water. Why? Because he was thirsty. If you are authentic, transparent, and honest, you will break through a lot of the man-made barriers in our world.

 

#4 Be realistic

Bad things can happen. Prepare for them and don’t let the crisis steal your calm.

 

Jesus knew that the religious leaders were plotting to kill him (Mark 9:31). He knew that bad things were going to happen to him in Jerusalem (Matt. 26:2). He knew that one of his own would switch sides and hand him over (Mark 14:18). He didn’t let any of these things blindside him, but neither did he live in fear of them.

 

No legacy is so rich as honesty. — William Shakespeare

 

#5 Improvise

Stay creative and improvise in the crisis. See the opportunities for growth and be flexible.

 

On the night before his death, after observing the Passover Meal with his disciples, Jesus retreated to the Mount of Olives. It was a strategic retreat. Jesus went to the one place where he could hide (in the thick Olive tree groves) and the one place that offered him an escape route, should God allow him a reprieve from the cross.  Jesus was ready to improvise in the face of the impending crisis.

 

Improvisation is too good to leave to chance. — Paul Simon

 

#6 Gratitude

Focus on what you have left and don’t dwell on what you’ve lost.

 

Jesus was always thankful. When he faced the death of one of his best friends, Lazarus, he wept and then he prayed to God – “Father, I thank you that you have heard me” (Jn. 11:41). Jesus was always thankful for his heavenly Father, no matter the circumstances.

 

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. — Henry Ward Beecher

 

#7 Work Hard

Take responsibility for your life and work hard for a better future.

 

Jesus worked hard. He rose early, even before fishermen, to pray (Mark 1:35). He spent the day teaching, healing and preaching (Mark 1:32-34). In the evening he would host meals for anyone who wanted to come (Mark 2:15).  Jesus took responsibility for the amazing gifts God had given him and he used them tirelessly to help others.

 

#8 Find Purpose

Look for the bigger picture in your life and work. Focus on what you enjoy and use it to serve others.

 

Jesus found purpose in everything he did. He didn’t allow anything or anyone (even his own disciples) to pull him away from that purpose (Mark 1:36; Mt. 16:23).

 

#9 Support

Have at least one person who cheers for you and someone you can turn to in hard times.

 

Jesus built a community of support. When many were leaving him, Jesus asked The Twelve if they were thinking about leaving him as well. Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68). Peter assured Jesus that they would not stop cheering him on.

 

Towards the end of his life, Jesus told his disciples, “I no longer call you servants … I have called you friends …” (Jn. 15:15). Jesus had a loyal group of friends.

 

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. — Helen Keller

 

 

There they are! Nine things Jesus taught us that we needed in order to develop resiliency in life.