The top thing on my list of what makes me resilient is my faith in God. That’s what I’m going to dig a little deeper into today. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that without God, I would have crumbled a looooong time ago. That’s just the truth. But why is that? What about my relationship with God makes me resilient? I’m an analyzer, after all. It’s not very often I just take things at face value. You’ll read more about that another day because being an analyzer is also on my “Why I’m So Resilient” list.
Yesterday I read a very interesting article about a small study done at the University of Utah examining how our brains respond to spiritual input. The study concluded that while we are praying or engaging in other faith-related activity that it actually stimulates the same pleasure centers in the brains that love and drugs do. I just love it when science backs up something I already know, don’t you?
So, back to me now. 🙂 While preparing to write this post I’ve done a lot of soul searching (pun intended) about how my faith makes me resilient. I’ve come up with five reasons that I’m going to talk about today. I’m sure there are more. But, before we go any further, you need to know that all of these things work for me because I truly believe that God is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do. I believe the Bible is his word and his bond, and that if it’s written in there I can claim it as truth. Why I believe all this is also a post for another day. For today, let’s just start with that caveat.
My faith in God makes me resilient because:
It Gives Me Strength
Over and over again, the Bible tells us that God is our strength. He, the creator of the universe and master of all things, cares about little old me and there is nothing he can’t do. Where my human weakness limits me. his strength takes over. I know that I don’t have to rely on my own power to get through any struggle, because God will give me the strength that I need. I have an endless supply of strength at my fingertips and boy, do I tap into it on a daily basis.
It Gives Me Hope
The Bible tells us that our hope lies in God, and that with him we can succeed. That he has a plan for our lives and with him we can move mountains. Speaking of mountains, I remember when I was in the depths of my depression telling my sister that I didn’t see the point in living. That it seemed like I spent my entire life climbing a mountain, and just as I reached the top and got ready to put my flag in the ground, a big gust of wind would blow and send me tumbling down the other side. I just didn’t see the point in climbing the mountain again. Then, as I started to heal I remembered this truth, and it gave the hope I needed to climb the mountain again– We can expect trials and hardships but know that at the end of the hill he’s got a beautiful valley waiting for us.
It Gives Me Courage
Fear is a monster. A big fat ugly monster that robs us of things we were meant to enjoy in this life. It’s a road block that keeps us stuck, and that’s no way to be resilient. I have PTSD and an anxiety disorder, so when I get fear, it’s big fear. It’s definitely not easy to overcome it– but just like I did when I had my MRI — I find that when I anchor myself in the promises of God and just let myself trust him, I can face those fears down. I can have courage to bounce back, move forward, and try again.
It Gives Me Peace
Left to my own devices, I could could curl up in a little ball and worry about every little thing around me. I would likely never get up again, because there’s just that much stuff to worry about when you have an anxiety disorder. I’ll admit sometimes it gets the best of me, but eventually I remember that God is in control. Not me. God. And that worrying won’t solve or change anything. Once I am able to let go and leave it in his very capable hands I have peace.
It Gives Me Confidence
Last but not least, my faith in God gives me confidence. If I truly believe (which, of course, I do) that God is in control, that he’s going the give me the strength I need, that he has a plan for my life, that he wants good things for me, and that he will take care of me, then I have the confidence I need to get up and keep fighting. What do I have to lose? He’s given me the gift of life and I’ll make the most of every moment until he decides it’s time for me to join him in heaven– and even that is a win. I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain if I soldier on until the bittersweet end, and I’m determined to do just that.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
Lifted Lady 