Have you ever faced a difficult situation in life and yet found the strength to bounce back? That ability to persevere and remain strong in the face of adversity is called resilience. While this strength is often considered a personal attribute, a gift from God, it does not stop there. You can tap into God’s internal power at any time, impacting your ability to live a resilient life. Let’s explore how the Lord’s strength can enhance our capacity to face life’s unexpected trials with courage and fortitude.
We can tap into God's internal power at any time, impacting our ability to live a resilient life. Explore how the Lord’s strength can enhance our capacity to face life’s unexpected trials with courage and fortitude.#resilient… Share on XThe Gift of God’s Internal Power
God’s internal power begins to live inside us when we ask Jesus to become our Lord and Savior. We don’t have to search far to find it. This extraordinary force surpasses human limitations and understanding while providing strength, wisdom, guidance, support, and much more. We can tap into this at any time.
There’s only one power in the world great enough to help us rise above the difficult things we face: the power of God.
–Stormie Omartian
Have you ever looked back at a challenging situation and wondered how you made it through calm, cool, and collected?
A Lesson in a Storm
For years we camped and boated on Lake Powell. We started when our children were 1, 3, and 5. We would pull the boat up to the dock, load it up to just above sinking level, playpens and all, and head out to a remote area accessible only by boat. As we left the marina, our cell phones would automatically go silent as service diminished. The hum of the boat would drown out the world around us, which made it easy to leave our cares behind.
As one enters the narrow canyons, the stunning tall majestic red rock rises from the water and touches the bright blue sky above. To me, it is a place that feels holy, like I’ve entered God’s sanctuary. The nearness of the Lord is ever so present, and peace permeates my soul.
Storms Will Come
However, while out on the water, tranquility is not assured. The peace and calm can quickly fade as a storm blows through and wreaks devastation. Hmm, it sounds like life.
One particular night we were awakened by a raging storm. My husband jumped up and ran to the shoreline to save the boat from floating away, our only transportation out of the canyon. After all, we could be stuck waiting for days for strangers to choose our little secluded place. I heard someone whimpering my name, “Mommy, we’re scared.” from the small tent next to ours where the two oldest children were bravely sleeping alone. Quickly I unzipped the tent as the wind whipped at my face and sand pelted my skin. Our belongings were clanging as they strewed across the campsite.
I made my way, grabbed the two, and as I turned around, I saw our big tent fly up in the air with my little one inside. Frantically, with God’s strength, I managed to grab ahold, and we all jumped in it to weigh it down. I pulled and tugged to scoot the ice chest inside, and we huddled close, prayed, and listened to the storm’s roar.
God’s Internal Power Will Give Us What We Need
God gave me what I needed that night, a strength beyond my capabilities, courage, and resilience to keep going. Did I mention I’m a city girl, and camping was not my thing, yet I went back year after year, and we hit storm after storm? The stories I could tell.
Building Resilience Through Our Faith
When we face difficult times, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless. Turning to our faith can help us build resilience by reminding us that we have the gift of God’s internal power. With His help, we can find the strength to persevere and even find meaning in the midst of the unexpected.
Little did I know that through each storm of nature, God was preparing me for the challenges ahead in life. He taught me to trust in Him that the storms will come and go and peace will follow. After that first storm, we awakened to sunshine, blue skies, and calm water, not a ripple in sight. The most important concept I learned was that I would never be alone if I turned to Jesus and relied on my faith.
Our faith will help us tap into God’s internal power, but we must do our part to build it. #boostresilienceseries #resilience Share on XOur Relationship with Jesus
To live a resilient life, we must start by strengthening our relationship with Jesus. To grow closer takes ongoing effort and commitment on our part. By setting aside time each day to pray and reflect, we can build a foundation of strength that will sustain us through the ups and downs of life.
What helps you to keep growing closer to God?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30 ESV)
Perspective
One way that Faith helps us build resilience is by giving us a sense of perspective. When we focus on the bigger picture and remember that God is in control, we can see our problems differently.
Trust and Surrender
Building resilience through faith involves surrendering control and trusting the Lord. This action does not happen on its own we must choose to trust, and if you are anything like me, I have to do this repeatedly. As we practice trust and surrender, it builds our faith stronger.
It helps me to say upfront, “I choose to put my trust in you, Lord, no matter the outcome.”
Gratitude & Hope
Reflecting on our blessings can help us build our faith by reminding us Jesus is at work in our lives. Looking for reasons to be grateful cultivates a sense of hope that helps us live resiliently.
Perhaps start a gratitude journal and write down three blessings a day. Or download my prayer journal using the T.R.U.S.T as your guide.
Overcoming Fear and Doubt Through Faith
Fear and doubt can take hold when faced with challenges or setbacks in life, making it difficult to see a way forward. However, we can find the strength to overcome these feelings by developing a solid relationship with God, surrendering, and trusting Him. We are then able to tap into God’s internal power. Don’t forget talking with the Lord can help us to quiet our minds and trust in God’s guidance. While reading the Bible can offer us hope and inspiration, it is through Faith, we can find the courage to take the next step, even when afraid.
Finding Comfort and Support in God’s Internal Power
As you build and maintain your Faith, God’s internal power will provide solace and comfort in distress. We then can harness the power of God’s internal strength to navigate challenges with grace and resilience.
Overcoming Obstacles with God’s Internal Power
We will still face challenges and unexpected difficulties, but we can approach them with peace, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. Tapping into God’s internal power can empower us to overcome insurmountable obstacles. It provides the strength to persist when faced with adversity, instills hope amid despair, and inspires us to find meaning in our struggles. Countless stories of individuals who have triumphed over hardship through their Faith stand as testaments to the transformative power of God’s internal power in overcoming obstacles.
The Greatest Gift
Resilience is one of the Lord’s greatest gifts to us. By cultivating a strong faith and relationship with God, we can tap into God’s internal power and live a resilient life. Through trials, we will emerge stronger and more compassionate.
As the Bible says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3 NIV).
So, let us embrace this gift from God and use it to become the best versions of ourselves. Remember,
Will you share a time when God’s internal power helped you live a resilient life?
How to Boost Resilience Series
Explore how to boost resilience to embrace life’s unexpected turns with courage and confidence. This blog series provides the roadmap to developing unshakeable strength to thrive and find joy in any storm. Tap here to catch up on any missed articles.
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Lake Powell sounds both gorgeous and adventurous, Maree! I’m so glad God enabled you the strength to grab the tent with your little one in it! This resonated with me, “Building resilience through faith involves surrendering control and trusting the Lord. As we practice trust and surrender, it builds our faith stronger.”
Yes, it is gorgeous and adventurous. Perhaps not for those that grew up doing those kinds of trips. But I really never camped but twice as a child, and they were disastrous. Everybody was always in tears. Thank you for pinpointing what resonated with you. I love knowing. I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Blessings, Maree
Maree, such a beautiful post! It’s amazing to me that we don’t have to simply “get through” storms. As you said here, “With His help, we can find the strength to persevere and even find meaning in the midst of the unexpected.” God uses our life storms to not only find strength to persevere, but God shows us meaning through them to. Will we be open to that?
Oh, Jeanne, I love your ending question. You are so right we must choose if we will allow God to work I us and find meaning in our struggles. Amen. Maree
This was so needed. I love Lake Powell but can not imagine being here in a storm. Thank you for your wisdom and beautiful words.
Oh, Deborah, I have many stories about being caught in a storm. The last one convinced me to give up camping. One day I will share that one. Maree
Having experienced storms while tenting, I can imagine how you may have felt while huddled with your children in their tent! And the tent with the little one flying off the ground….oh my….my heart! God provides us the strength through all our battles and trials. When there seems to be no way through, He makes a way! Yes, may we embrace His transformative power!
Lynn, I bet you do have stories from camping. I would love to hear a few. It can get pretty wild out there, especially for a city girl. I, too, love how God makes a way through everything. Blessings to you, Maree
Love this! And a much needed read.
Thank you, for your kind words. I hope you have an awesome weekend. Blessings, Maree
Leaning into ‘the God of all comfort’ and knowing that when I am at my weakest He is my strength is the comfort I need through a season of grief. Thank you for this encouragement today to see the building of resilience as God’s gift!
Sharon, I’m so sorry you are in a season of grief. Thank goodness you know the Lord and He is always with you. Saying a prayer this morning for you as I send this out. Maree
in studying and sitting with this whole concept of resilience, i’m realizing that this is God’s gift to us, a blessing, a victory for having persevered through the storms. i am so grateful for this redemption …
Linda,
Yes, me too. I never looked at resilience as a gift from God until recently. I thought it was how God made us, but even that would be a gift. Thank you for sharing your insight. I can’t wait to read your blog post. Maree
Yes, me too. I never looked at resilience as a gift from God until recently. I thought it was how we were made but even that would be a gift. Thank you for sharing your insight. Maree
A great post Maree!
Praise God He enabled you to catch the tent!!
I’ve found that the storms in life can only be faced through Him.
To answer your question;
I simply snuggle up to Him when I see the dark clouds gathering & let Him quieten the raging storm…😉
Blessings, Jennifer
Jennifer,
Thank you for sharing. Your words soothed my hurting heart tonight and reminded me of what to do. Blessings, Maree
Oh my, how scary! I really needed to hear this today. So wonderfully spoken.
Visiting today from G&T
Thank you, Paula; you are such an encouragement. I hope you had a great weekend. Maree