Joseph Iregbu

Purpose Guy

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:

  • Have Deep Spiritual Root – Without a serious relationship with Jesus, the foundation of your life is on shaky ground. You can tap into divine strength in times of discouragement through the power of prayer. 
  • 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.

About Joseph Iregbu

From a homeless, near-school-dropout to living a story worth telling. Purpose is my passion. What's your story?

10 Replies

  1. Oladotun Joseph

    I really needed this with everything that has happened. All i have noticed is that have just been coming across articles related to moving forward and forgetting the past

    1. Great to catch you here, Dotun. Keep holding up brother.

  2. Seun Oyedele

    Wonderful testimony brother!

    1. Thank you Seun for being part of my journey. You were there in my lowest moments. Never forgotten. Thank you brother.

  3. Such wise insights, Joseph! The three things we have to have to create resilience is spot on. THanks for the reminder.

    1. Thank you namesake. Keep inspiring us with your words.

  4. Thanks brother. Been an age. Good to see all that God is doing with you.

    1. Hester Djabi

      Thank you my brother

  5. osiri oji

    Wow….Resilience as a mental strength is my take home.Thanks joseph

Leave a Reply

Get Regular Updates

Join other readers to get regular updates from my blog for free. Enter your email address to sign up. I won’t spam you. That’s a promise.