Wouldn’t you agree life can be unpredictable and full of hardships that test our strength? Whether it’s dealing with losing a job, a sudden illness, or going through a global pandemic; these difficulties can leave us overwhelmed and unprepared for the subsequent challenges that are bound to come our way. However, what if I told you there’s a surprising element many forgo after moving through a difficult time? So, let’s dive in and discover the secret so you won’t run out of resilience to embrace the next unexpected trial.
What is Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, maintain a positive outlook, and adapt to challenges. It encompasses perseverance, flexibility, and the capacity to recover from setbacks.
Resilience is not a trait that someone is born with but rather a skill that can be developed and honed over time. By cultivating resilience, we can create a buffer against life’s unexpected challenges and emerge stronger than ever.
Resilience is a crucial component of embracing the unexpected. When we develop resilience, we become more confident in handling whatever life throws our way. We learn to view challenges as opportunities for growth and development rather than insurmountable obstacles.
Throughout this new series, we will learn ways to boost our resilience. However, today’s article will look at a surprising element of living a resilient life many miss. #embracingtheunexpected #resilience #grit Share on XExhibiting Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Some of us may fly through a challenge exhibiting extraordinary resilience. I tend to rally in the face of adversity as I tap into God’s strength, readjust, and use skills to persevere. How about you?
After the Challenge
Although we know life's challenges are inevitable, we often fail to take the essential step to prepare for the next unexpected trial and run out of grit. #resilience #grit Share on XWhat do you do right after a difficulty has passed? Perhaps you will find similarities in my story.
My Familiar Story of Falling Short
Last year, our family faced unexpected mental and physical health struggles. They came out of nowhere and with a vengeance. Living in a new place without family and friends to help left me physically alone to support those I love. It was scary, exhausting, and an honor to be allowed into the dark places where loved ones lingered.
My biggest struggle in the trial was listening to God as He whispered, “Maree, you must let go of your ambitions and offer yourself the grace to let things go undone.” You can read about it here. I finally relinquished, and God’s peace blanketed me, and I persevered, or so I thought.
When the dire needs of those I love started diminishing, and the trial seemed like it was in my rearview mirror, what do you think I did? What would you do?
I threw myself back into the rat race, trying to pick up speed and accomplish what had gone undone during our challenging year. Yet, I failed over and over again to regain my footing. I hit walls of exhaustion, grief, and anger, to name a few.
But I kept pushing until physically, I found myself completely incapacitated, enduring months of excruciating back pain. I cried out in my prayers, “God can’t you give me a break.” And my anger rose towards God. After all, I had given all of me to try and love the people well the Lord put in my path.
And then I picked up the book, Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times by John Eldredge, and it became clear where my error had been.
God Made Humans Resilient, however—
Imagine if we had a jug of emergency water and kept pouring from it; eventually, we would find it empty and needing replenishment. When we rally to persevere through hardship, we tap into our reserves (emergency water) and slowly but surely drain them. After an unexpected trial, we are likely behind in every aspect of life. So instead of replenishing, we attempt to drink from an empty jug.
We often return to responsibilities, deadlines, and missed work without restoring our reserves.
Don’t Run Out of Resilience
One of the most important ways to prepare for the next unexpected trial is to replenish the energy we use to persevere through the challenge.
Yes, the Lord is the giver of resilience and does a fantastic job; more about that in our next article. He will give your strength beyond what you ever imagined. But let’s not forget Jesus rested. We see repeatedly, Him setting aside time to pray and restore. And let’s not forget God established the Sabbath.
Jesus Rested and Prayed
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16 NIV)
Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. (John 4:6 NIV)
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35 NIV)
Don’t Run Out of Resilience. Replenish Your Energy Now
It is always a mistake to think that we can rest later and replenish the energy used after catching up. Restoring will look different for each of us. A few of my favorites are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, pausing to take in the beauty around me, time with friends, and sitting with God.
What builds up your energy reserves?
Preparation for the Unexpected is an Ongoing Process
It’s important to remember that preparation is an ongoing process. We can’t predict everything that might happen in the future, but we can always be learning and growing. When we prepare, we can live our lives with greater confidence, resilience, and peace of mind.
Remember: preparation is vital to ensuring we don’t run out of resilience. #resilience #embracingtheunexpected Share on X
We can prepare by caring for ourselves, resting, building a support network, and continuing to learn and grow. Throughout this series, we will learn how to boost our resilience to embrace the unexpected and thrive in the face of uncertainty.
The Next Unexpected Trial
Remember, the next unexpected challenge may be just around the corner. Equip yourself with the strength and determination to embrace it. Embrace the unknown, face your fears, and put your trust in God and your ability to overcome any obstacle that comes your way.
Always remember to stay optimistic, stay focused, and stay strong. As Winston Churchill once said,
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Winston Churchill
So, will you have the strength to embrace the next unexpected challenge? Will you take the time to restore the energy you used up? The answer is up to you.
Remember, restoring the energy you used up isn’t a luxury—it’s necessary so you don’t run out of resilience to embrace the next unexpected trial. #resilience Share on XHow 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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Upcoming Talk: When Your Loved One Has a Mental Illness Is Change Possible?
Feeling stuck, discouraged, or unsure if things can ever improve? This talk is for you. Maree Dee, Founder of Embracing Faith & Mental Illness, invites you to explore:
- Practical tools to help you move forward with renewed hope.
- Steps to take when progress feels out of reach.
- How small changes can lead to meaningful breakthroughs.
Join us for this inspiring session via Zoom on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 9:00 AM (Mountain Time).
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Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee
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This is such an important point, Maree. Even with things that aren’t stressful in themselves, like family gatherings, I have to allow myself some rest time here and there and afterward, or else I am done in. When my grandson was in the NICU for two months after birth, one nurse kept telling my daughter-in-law that even happy stress is stress.
Barbara, What a good statement from the nurse, “even happy stress is stress.” It certainly is, but I always overlook that kind of stress. Thank you for sharing. I like that you give yourself breaks. I’m trying to get better at it. Maree
Isn’t it something how, instead of letting go of extra things, we just push a bit harder? I’ve been learning that release, albeit hard, can be more effective than clinging tighter. Glad you’re writing this resilience series!
Lisa,
I needed your wisdom tonight. Thank you. I need to get with God and figure out what to release. I can’t work any harder. It’s not practical. Maree
Creating healthy habits that calm my mind and feed my body, I believe, can help me through tiresome times. You’ve made a compelling case to take care of ourselves even when things are good, so we fill our reserves. I’m focusing on re-creating my habits that restore, refresh, and renew!
Lynn, I hope you will share your new habits with all of us. Even if it’s in a blog post, please return and post the URL. I’m always up for learning new ways to care for myself. Maree
Wow, Maree! What a beautifully written post. I loved this! I’ve pinned, tweeted, and shared. You may need to teach a class on how to organize your blog posts to generate traffic from various places. Well done sister! Let go and let god. Take care of your back, too.
Oh, Horace, you made me smile. Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you liked it. I need that class you mentioned. Maree
This is a great post! God will slow us down if we don’t take time for rest, I’ve experienced that more than once. I’ve learned to rest and enjoy the sabbath.
Mary, I’m so glad you learned to rest. I still fight it on some Sundays, but you are so right. God will slow us down. Blessings, Maree
I appreciate your post as I have been learning to slow my pace, rest and look to Jesus all day every day since my dear man was diagnosed with PD a decade ago. Long term illness totally changes the landscape of life, but we’re slowly learning to celebrate the beauty of life and relationship
Lisa, Thank you for sharing your valuable insight. Yes, a long-term illness sure does change life a bit, but I love your exact words “changes the landscape of life, but we’re slowly learning to celebrate the beauty of life and relationship. Prayer to you as you continue to navigate life. Maree
I’m saddened to hear you have been facing some exhausting challenges Maree. Although, I’m glad the Lord has been carrying you through even on a bed of pain.
Replenishment is so important, Jesus gave us many examples of resting & refreshing before facing the next leg of the journey…we must do the same.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Maree, I can’t wait to travel this series with you.
Ahh, thank you, Paula. I’m so glad you are joining us. Maree
I have felt many times that I must be out of resilience, knowing that that’s not true. So much wisdom in this post. And I needed to read it. Thank you.
Lauren, I am so glad you found wisdom in this post. Only lately have I wondered if I will run out of resilience? But God always comes through. Thank goodness it is His strength that keeps us going. Maree
My resilience sometimes seems to waver day by day. I’m looking forward to this series, friend.
Tammy, Thank you. I’m so glad you will lend wise words to the series. Maree
I struggle with the balancing act between grit and grace, and I am well aware that this is crucial to my resilience.
Oh, Michele, thank you for adding grace to the conversation. I, too, struggle with the grace part, especially when offering it to myself. Maree