Resilient people are committed to finishing strong.
They believe that quitting is not an option.
They know that 'walking' is unthinkable.
They are convinced that building resilience is a daily pursuit.
They despise aimlessness.
They have the faces of champions.
- Gordon MacDonald -
I wish I could say that I learned resilience the easy way ... with my feet up, life going smoothly, everything coming up roses, whistling a happy tune.
But that's not how it's played out.
I don't know about you, but when all is said and done, I've learned the truest, sturdiest resilience during the hard times. Yep, right in the midst of those fragile seasons that drain us dry and have us scraping bottom, seemingly forever.
Linda
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PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits
That was a great post! I wholeheartedly agree with all five of those daily practices. Not only do I agree, but I have experienced how they work in my own life and how beneficial they are. I don't know what I would do if I didn't know Jesus. Being able to pour my heart out to Him in prayer is such a privilege! I remember when everything was shut down because of Covid in 2020, and we couldn't go to church...I felt like I was missing so much with my friends, so we started meeting every Thursday night with dinners from home. We would meet in a big parking lot, or at a park, and we'd bring lawn chairs to sit in while we chatted for an hour or three. We started small, and grew quickly! Those were sweet times, in spite of it being terrible in the world around us.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thank you for sharing! Just wanted to pop over here and say hello to you today. I hope you have a great day!
Wow, Jennifer, your covid story sure pictures resilience in action. Let's hear it for the grace of parking lots, the deep desire to keep on connecting, and the creative scenarios we dreamed up so we could survive.
DeleteIt was an awful season on so many levels, but God was able to redeem those dark months.
Thanks for kicking off this week's discussion. We've got a group of resilient kindred spirits around here and I can't wait to hear what's worked for them.
Always good content to share with us, Linda, along with your caring heart. Resilient isn't something you realize at the time but looking back...I'm thankful for God's spirit within. Debby
ReplyDeleteHe was there every step of the way, yes, Debby. Never caught off guard, whispering hope, discernment, and peace in the process.
DeleteThe awesome Resilience Builder.
At the first sign of resilience I just give up. What is the point in struggling and getting tired? It will only lead to success and success makes me proud and big-headed which is not a good quality, especially for a Christian. So I would rather fail and be humble and let others have pity on me. At least it gives them an opportunity to be charitable and live up to their Christianity.
ReplyDeleteOh ... and it is also very important to have a sense of humour in this life. I hope there is humour in Heaven and not just practice at playing the harp. What do you think?
God bless, Linda. Keep smiling.
Indeed there will be joy and laughter. If you're lucky, you'll be asked to play the harp, too.
DeleteThanks so much for the five suggestions that I will call disciplines. I do want to finish strong and never give up. Wishing you a lovely weekend, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI love them as compelling invitations you just can't say 'no' to!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your post, Linda! It's amazing the difference the small things can make if we take 5 minutes to do something positive instead of worrying (as I tend to do!).
ReplyDeleteYeah, worry was my default mode for far too long, Lesley. It's being pushed away by an expanding faith in who God is and the truth of His promises.
DeleteThank You, Jesus.
The too hot weather sometimes makes me less resilient. Stay cool and healthy.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. I never thought of it that way.
DeleteI can say I'm pretty resilient from what I went through (and what my country is going through). Love this beautiful reminder, Linda. Stay cool and hydrated!
ReplyDeleteLux, what a testimony of God at work in your life through the hard times.
DeleteI won't claim to be resilient;
ReplyDeletesome days it's like I'm made of glass,
and the feeling's not too brilliant,
and in fact's pain in the a**.
My arms and legs don't work no more,
and when I rise up from a chair
I flail my way across the floor;
try to help me if you dare,
for under cancer's sudden lash
of whip-like piercing pain,
I may drop with almighty crash
and on my knees remain,
and if I'm being helped by you
I just might be dragging you down too.
Yeah, it's easy to think that we're dragging others down when we need a hand (literally or not.) It can be monumentally hard to accept help or come to the realization that we can't go it on our own. And yes, there are some who jump ship and abandon us along the way. But that says more about them than us, doesn't it.
Delete'And there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.'
Proverbs 18:24.