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Dynamics of Resilient

Resilient

What makes an individual resilient? Does being resilient spontaneously emerge from a DNA “bound back mode” of simply overcoming during times of adversity? Or is there a divine unction that automatically triggers a response of endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness despite the challenges of life aimed to derail you? The exploration examination of these questions will provide invaluable insights of the conceptual essence of being resilient from a modern to a biblical perspective.

There is a psychological implication noted in the Journal of Happiness & Wellbeing (2018) of intense dialogue amongst philosophers, writers, teachers, and scholars for centuries of an ancient concept of resilience. Apparently, evidence points to faith, the biblical roots of this conceptual teaching of hope, perseverance, and ultimately overcoming adversity and achieving well-being. For example, St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians 5:22, states “longsuffering” which is understood as patience or perseverance is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It seems through the stories of Joseph, Naomi, Esther, Job, and St. Paul one can see that faith contributed to resilience. Despite this ancient connection between religion or spirituality and resilience, these concepts are new to the scientific psychological literature. Likewise, Biblical text repeatedly encourages hope and perseverance as virtues to espouse even in the midst of challenges. For example, the Biblical text also states, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory …” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17; NKJV).

The American Psychological Association (2020) implies that life may not come with an app, but everyone will experience twists and turns, from everyday challenges to traumatic events with more lasting impact, like the death of a loved one, a life-altering accident or a serious illness. Each change affects people differently, bringing a unique flood of thoughts, strong emotions and uncertainty. Yet people generally adapt well over time to life-changing situations and stressful situations, in part thanks to resilience. Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. As much as resilience involves "bouncing back" from these difficult experiences, it can also involve profound personal growth.

While these adverse events, much like rough river waters, are certainly painful and difficult, they don’t have to determine the outcome of your life. There are many aspects of your life you can control, modify and grow with. That’s the role of resilience. Becoming more resilient not only helps you get through difficult circumstances, it also empowers you to grow and even improve your life along the way. Undisputedly, there might not be an established scientific definition of resilience or what attests to its essence that validates being resilient. But, there is a much deeper root to being resilient that extends beyond the general psychosocial explanation of it. It seems obvious that the scientific study of resilience shows how to increase your chances of recovering from challenges of life which definitely aligns with the biblical meaning of perseverance. The incomprehensible omniscient God defies psychological interpretations of resilience: through the word “perseverance”.

The biblical interpretation of perseverance provides instructions to be persistent in anything undertaken, applied alike to good or evil. Indeed, throughout Biblical Old and New Testament texts, there are many stories about the ability to overcome adversity through faith, being resilient. The Word of God declares in Ephesians 6:16-19 (KJV), In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance (resilience), making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,