What is Resilience?
Resilience is the ability to bounce back after tragedy, a troubled childhood, or difficult circumstances. Why is it that some people have the ability to bounce back and some continue on a path of destruction?
The ability to succeed in life, despite difficult circumstances, is not based on luck. There are a number of factors that that have been proven to help someone overcome hardship and move forward, in spite of traumatic circumstances or an uphill battle toward happiness. Here are just a few of those factors:
The Ability to Dream:
Just as a young girl dreams of one day meeting her knight in shining armor, or a teenage boy dreams of one day playing professional sports, we all have a built-in desire to be successful in life. One of the keys of this success is how we define success itself.
If we dream of being the most famous, becoming a millionaire, or saving the world, we may be shooting ourselves in the foot. Disappointment can be devastating, and when we don’t achieve, many throw their hands up in defeat. It is important to dream, and it is important to expect our best in life. However, who determines the “most” famous, the happiness of a millionaire, or exactly what needs to be done to save the world?
Dream … and dream big. Dream of being content in life, making choices to encourage living comfortably, enjoying family and friends, and making a positive difference in the lives of those you come in contact with. Everyone can achieve these dreams, and everyone can find joy in loving family and friends and having a positive impact on those we come in contact with in life.
Healthy Relationships:
One very important factor has been found by many researchers over the years when determining the factors that encourage resilience. Positive, healthy relationships are a key ingredient in resilient people . Most resilient adults can point to at least one positive relationship they had during childhood and/or their teenage years that provided support and encouragement.
All of us desire to be loved, and everyone wants to be viewed as important. Red Grammar wrote a very powerful song. “See Me Beautiful” expresses the desire all of us have to be noticed, loved, and accepted. The lyrics read, “See Me Beautiful; Look for the best in me; It’s all I really want, and all I really need.” There is beauty in everyone. Develop relationships with people who see the best in you.
Also, we develop these healthy relationships by being an encouragement to others. Be willing to trust and to make a difference in someone’s life. Begin today to look for the good in those you love, and you will have an impact on their resilience, as well.
Believe:
“People who don’t stand for something will fall for anything.” You were created for a purpose. And, you have a creator! This is a very difficult concept for many people to accept, and yet, if you believe that God created you for a purpose, you will live to seek and fulfill this purpose.
“I knit you together in your mother’s womb.” Wow! Knowing that God designed you and knew you before you were born can give you the strength you need to continue to strive for your best, regardless of how many difficult turns life may take.
Not only did God create us, but he has our best interest at heart. “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
There is so much power in those two promises! Those promises from God can give you the encouragement you need to KNOW you can succeed! God only desires our best; Christ came to give us eternal life, but He also desires us to live His best life while we are here. Believing we have a purpose to fulfill in Christ gives us the strength and determination to move forward, with resilience, every day.
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