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.

Begin Again

"But though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity." -Proverbs 24:16

 

Have people ever let you down? If you're dealing with human beings, in ministry or in business, or anywhere for that matter, it's likely they will! 

But what do we do when people mess up? Do we tell them there's no hope, that God is angry with them, or do we tell them that God is a God of second chances, waiting with open arms for us to run back to Him when we repent? The second picture is the more accurate one. 

Peter was in the garden with Jesus. Jesus told him he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter didn't believe he would do it. 'I will never deny you,' he said. And yet, when he was asked by Roman soldiers if he knew Jesus, he denied it three times.(John 18:27) But even after all of that Jesus still said to him, 'You are Simon Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." (Matthew 16:18) 

As Christians, we need to realize that God is cheering us on. He loves it when we lead a life that's pleasing to Him. And He knows it can be difficult sometimes. We need to believe in others like He believes in us. People WILL let us down, there is no doubt about it. But there is always hope in God, He is the hope of the world! We need to place our faith and trust for the outcome of their lives in His hands, and learn to see them as He sees them. 

If you're like a lot of people, YOU have let you down. But we need to learn to dust ourselves off and get back up, and try again. The Bible says the righteous fall 7 times, but they get back up. Are you getting up from whatever it is you're encountering, or are you staying on the ground? We can't let ourselves or others fall into the trap that there is no grace, no hope. As long as we're alive we have the ability to turn things around. 

Is there someone you need to forgive and believe in again? Do you need to forgive yourself? May we all receive the grace necessary for our journeys, and give it to others who need someone to believe in them. If the church doesn't believe in people, who will?