The Resiliency Factor

 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." -Rev 2:17
 
There is a lot of doubt and discouragement in our fallen world. Many bad things happen to innocent people, and many unfair things happen to good people. However, this doesn't give us an excuse to give up fighting the good fight. As Christians, Jesus gives us a special edge - the resiliency factor.

The resiliency factor, or being an overcomer, has to do with being flexible and bendable, but not breakable. This is because we have learned, through the power of Jesus, that we CAN overcome, and not break when circumstances test us. The tree with no roots falls right over. But the grounded tree with roots that sink deep into the ground merely bends when the storms of life come its way. This tree has gone deep into the ground to find water & nourishment. This tree is resilient.

The Bible places a lot of emphasis on overcoming in our lives. We know we can't overcome alone - it is the power of the cross and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives that helps us to overcome. Also, the support of friends and family is very important in helping us get past the obstacles in front of us. But resiliency in the kingdom has special merit to it - not everyone who decides to believe Jesus is the son of God is an overcomer. There is something that separates the doubter from the overcomer, the one who has the resiliency factor. It takes an unwavering perspective that anything, yes, anything, is possible to those who believe, coupled with a strong faith in God. Strong faith says, "There is nothing bigger than my God. My God is bigger than all the giants in my life," in spite of how big our giants may seem.

Have you activated the resiliency factor in your life? I pray that each of us may gain a resiliency in God that helps us overcome any negative thing that comes our way, so that we might in turn become overcomers in the kingdom of God.