Mindset Monday: Building Resilience through Faith

Resilience-building exercises integrate your faith principles and practices. We need resilience to continue to be strong in the Lord, especially on those days when nothing seems to be going right, and those fiery darts keep on coming. Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.

Over the past couple of weeks, especially with the storms and tornados, so many people are faced with challenges in a multitude of areas. We build resilience through exercising our faith. The Apostle Paul said, that physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8). If this applies to you, here are five exercises that draw upon faith-based principles to build your resilience:

1. Prayer and Meditation: Ephesians 6:18 – With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.
   • Engage in regular prayer and meditation to connect with your faith and seek guidance.
   • Use prayer and meditation as a way to find inner peace, strength, and clarity during challenging times.
2. Scripture Study and Reflection: 2 Timothy 2:15 – Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.
   • Spend time studying scriptures that are relevant to your faith.
   • Reflect on stories of resilience, faith, and perseverance found within scripture.
   • Apply the lessons and principles from scripture to your own life circumstances.
3. Community Worship and Fellowship:  Hebrews 10:25 – Do not forsake our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.
   • Participate in services and gatherings within your faith community.
   • Seek support and fellowship from fellow believers who can provide encouragement and solidarity.
   • Join a prayer group and share your experiences and prayer requests with others, and offer support to those in need.
4. Gratitude and Trust in God: Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
   • Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by acknowledging God’s blessings and provisions.
   • Keep a gratitude journal.
   • Trust in the belief that God is present and guiding you through difficult times.
   • Surrender your worries and anxieties through prayer, trusting in divine providence.
5. Service and Acts of Compassion: Hebrews 6:10 – For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for His name in ministering to [the needs of] the saints (God’s people), as you do.
   • Practice acts of service and compassion towards others as a reflection of your faith.
   • Look for opportunities to help those in need within your community or beyond.
   • Serving others can foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment, contributing to your own resilience and well-being.

These faith-based resilience-building exercises can provide spiritual nourishment and support, helping individuals draw strength from their beliefs and values during times of adversity. Integrating these practices into your daily life can deepen your resilience and sense of connection to your faith.