The certainty of life is that it always changes. We live in a fallen world where at times we face the inevitable. There are things that happen which one may not be prepared for, such as adversities, set-backs, failures and losses. The ability to recover from any difficult situation is called resilience. In the words of George S Patton, “Success is how high you bounce once you hit bottom.” In the real world success is not the absence of failure, but manoeuvring through the storms of life and succeeding in spite of set-backs.

ResilienceWe need resilience to bounce back from any adverse situation. When we are in the pit, we need resilience to bounce back from the pit. Without resilience some people may not even survive in the pit. Therefore, resilience is the necessity of life. Resilience is adjusting to the changes of life and to live with purpose to the best of our abilities in any given circumstances. It is the ability to bounce back and not be destroyed or consumed by adversity.

Some people are more resilient than others, however resilience can be developed and it develops best in the midst of adversity. The Bible is full of stories of resilient heroes who through their adversities bounced back and fulfilled God’s will. One such story is of an insignificant blind beggar. As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God (Luke 18: 35-43 NIV).

This blind beggar was insignificant to most people because he was blind and he lived on the mercy of others to feed him. People didn’t care much about his welfare and least about him getting his sight back. He heard about Jesus and when He was passing by, the beggar called out to Jesus, but the others asked him to be quiet. The blind beggar was resilient and He shouted all the more. He regained his sight because he was resilient. If he had remained quiet, he would have remained blind and a beggar forever, but his situation changes because of his resilience, because of his faith in Jesus.

When Jesus says to the blind beggar your faith has healed you, it means his resilience has healed him. Resilience can take different forms for different people and circumstances. For some resilience is to be at peace in the midst of adversity, for others it is to have patience with the ups and downs in life, while for some it is to rejoice in your suffering. Resilience is the flexibility to adapt to a change and submit to God’s divine purpose and will for your life.

Life has it tough moments and if you are in the midst of it, take courage and be strong, for you are created to bounce back from everything and in every situation. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 KJB).

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