The Resilient Christian, Part 10
One of my childhood toys was a Tom and Jerry punching bag, which stood tall and bounced back to a standing position no matter where it was punched. Interestingly, the term “bounce back” is used for more than air-filled punching bags; it describes not only overcoming times of crisis, but also growing in strength through the ordeal. Bouncing back is the epitome of resilience.
The Bible is filled with bounce back stories. Consider a prince who sought to outpace God and failed. As a result, Moses spent forty years on a mountain tending sheep. Though he thought he was finished, God used him to deliver His people. Consider wicked King Manasseh who had to be thrown into a foreign dungeon to learn that God is in control; however, he left imprisonment resolved to be a God-fearing king. Consider a fisherman chosen by Jesus as one of His twelve ambassadors. Though he denied his Lord three times, he ultimately committed to Him and through his writings has taught a wicked world for over 2,000 years. Consider a Jewish rabbi who sought to kill Christians, yet ultimately Paul gave his life to God and died for his Christian teachings. These and many other Bible characters had foibles, weaknesses, and failures; however, they chose to get back up when life threw them a punch.
How resilient are you when life throws you a punch? These are unpleasant times; however, they provide an opportunity for spiritual growth. It is in such times we must remember the psalmist’s promise: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand” (37:23-24). Consider also Paul’s reflection of such times in life: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (II Corinthians 4:8-9). The punch may be hard, but we can trust that God will give the ability to get back up and start again.
Our attitude toward these times demonstrates our level of resilience. When resilience is weak, there is a great temptation to stay down after the punch. This may be demonstrated through faith that grows cold, withdrawal into a depressed frame of mind, or refusal to learn from the experience. Ultimately, weakness is the accepted way of life. However, robust resilience encourages us to live to fight another day. This attitude is gained when we trust that God is for us even when every indication might seem otherwise. This is the kind of faith that brings us back stronger than before.
Ultimately, the Tom and Jerry punching bag grew old and no longer held air. Its loss of ability to bounce back was its demise. May this never be the case for the faithful of God. When life knocks you down, get up! The Lord is upholding your hand!
