I don’t know about you, but I've been facing several storms in my life as of late. These storms have caused me to question core foundational beliefs. I have felt a heaviness over me recently that over a few hours turns into frustration, anger, and then isolation. I’ve had sickness, a heavy work schedule, and because of the reality of the world we are living in, an emotional and psychological wet blanket covering me. My heart has been shaken and distraught. My faith is being tested. Have you ever felt this way?
My reality has caused me to search for answers and experience a true north in my life. These emotions have also cause me to think about one word: resiliency. Resilience isn’t a word I often hear come out of my mouth, and I typically don’t read much about it in my current list of books. However, it’s a powerful word and one that I think may be lost in our day and time.
Do you have a fortitude about yourself when you face hardships? When the waves of life are crashing around you, where does your fearlessness come from? Is there bravery deep down inside of you that just needs to be awakened? I believe the answer is a resounding yes! When you and I have the right perspective, I believe the tested resiliency within us surfaces.
If you look up resilience in the dictionary you might find this definition: “Resilience - the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. The ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.”
The American Psychological Association describes resilience: "Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means "bouncing back" from difficult experiences."
"Being resilient does not mean that a person doesn't experience difficulty or distress. Emotional pain and sadness are common in people who have suffered major adversity or trauma in their lives. In fact, the road to resilience is likely to involve considerable emotional distress."
"Resilience is not a trait that people either have or do not have. It involves behaviors, thoughts and actions that can be learned and developed in anyone."
You may have heard sayings by others such as: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” “Scars remind us where we’ve been. They don’t have to dictate where we’re going.” "You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”
How can you and I stand strong when the waves of life are crashing against us? How can we quickly recover from the difficulties we experience? I believe being resilient is a learned skilled that needs to be practiced on a daily and weekly basis.
What storms are you facing in your life? Regardless of where you are today, here are fifteen key leadership principles based on scripture to think about. We all need encouragement. Believe that God loves you. Allow His Word to breathe life in you today.
15 Leadership Principles on Resiliency
1) Ecclesiastes 3:1 - Even though we can’t see it, the hard season we are in will end.
"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”
2) Job 1:21-22 - We must remember that everything in life comes from God, both the good and the bad.
“I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God."
3) Habakkuk 3:17-18 - Our circumstances aren’t always the best indicator that God is at work.
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!"
4) Joshua 1:9 - Even when we don’t feel it is true, God is with us.
"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
5) Romans 8:28-30 - God loved us first and is working in every life circumstance we are facing.
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory."
6) James 1:2-4 - You and I are not truly tested in our faith unless we are facing trials.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
7) 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - No matter how many times we may get knocked down, we are never abandoned.
"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed."
8) Philippians 4:12 - Our contentment is based on our state of mind, not on our circumstances.
"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little."
9) Proverbs 3:5-6 - Surrendering to God alone will bring about revelation for our next steps.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take."
10) Psalm 62:8 - God is worthy of being trusted in all times.
"O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge."
11) Philippians 4:19 - God’s provisions in our life are unlimited.
"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."
12) Philippians 4:6-7 - God’s peace will steady us in any kind of storm.
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
13) Jeremiah 29:11 - The plans God has for our future are only good.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
14) Isaiah 41:10 - You and I are never alone.
"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
15) John 16:33 - Remember, we are in relationship with the One who has overcome the world.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Unfortunately, we get better at being resilient when we have practiced facing tough times. You may be in a hard season today. Be encouraged. Something good will come out of it. Remember, "Resilience is not a trait that people either have or do not have. It involves behaviors, thoughts and actions that can be learned and developed in anyone."
I believe that our best days are before us…not behind us. We all need a little encouragement, wisdom, and help from time to time. We can’t accomplish our goals in isolation or always on our own. We need each other. Remember, you are not alone. It’s time to thrive. Let’s do it together. Click here to set up a Discovery Coaching call.
Rick