The Power of Resilience

When I was teenager, I experienced significant hardships.

I lost my father aged 13. At 16 I was homeless, slept in the church for weeks and later in a slum for some years. At 17, I was a near-school dropout. I borrowed uniforms at high school. Hunger was my norm. I was a physical wreck. But one thing kept me going: the resolve to fulfil purpose.

Challenges Shape Character

Today, you may be in an impossible situation. You may be going through a “valley of the shadow of death” experience (Psalm 23:4). I encourage you: 

Refuse to allow your circumstances define your outcome.

Resilience is the mental strength to stand firm under pressure, bounce back from a setback and keep going in the face of adversity. We are prone to quit our dreams when under pressure, faced with obstacles or the disapproval of others.

I don’t make light of your challenges, but you must rise above what life throws at you.

Jesus didn’t promise us a life of ease. On the contrary, He said “In the world you will have tribulation (troubles).” – John 16:33. But that’s not the end… “But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Because Jesus overcame, you too will overcome. Through challenges, our character is shaped and in overcoming them we experience genuine growth.

Developing Deep Resilience

How do you develop the tenacity, grit and emotional strength to overcome life’s challenges? Here are my three practical tips:

• Embrace Challenges – You cannot develop resilience unless you ‘go through life’. Trouble is an opportunity for personal growth. Challenges make us dependent on God. Embrace them.

• Pay Attention to Your Close Circle – Surround yourself with people that will challenge and inspire you to go farther than you can presently conceive. If you desire excellence, don’t settle for average.

Whatever you’re going through, don’t give up.

Develop your capacity to withstand adversity and come out on the other side victorious.

Photo credit: Karim MANJRA on Unsplash.