Using my One Word for 2025, resilience, as a jumping off point, I realized that some of the lessons I may learn this year will be through trials that are more personal than I will want to share here. Having that as a reference point, I decided to check out some synonyms for resilience.
Here are a few that I have found:
Strength
Persistence
Tenacity
Potency
Perseverance
Power
Stubbornness
Elasticity
Adaptability
Fortitude
We are only halfway through the month of January, but I have had a few opportunities to practice resilience in things that have been hard to go through. God has been gracious to bring me through each one.
Truthfulness is something that is essential in any relationship, but especially in a relationship between Christians. Situation ethics shouldn't be a part of our DNA as a Christian. When these things take place it's time to set some boundaries. Life is real, my friends, and things like this do happen. The lesson in resilience that I have learned through these particular instances has to do with the synonym "strength" and although it isn't a synonym for resilience, "weakness" or "weak" definitely fits in these circumstances.
You see, I am learning firsthand 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."
Resilience isn't about my strength. It's about His strength, my weakness, and my dependence on HIM and His strength.
God shapes us by what He allows for us to go through. Your word for this year is already making a difference in your life.
ReplyDeleteYes, He does, my friend. Remembering His Sovereignty brings calmness and peace in the middle of the trials.
DeleteI am praying for you in your unspoken need.. God knows! Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God equips us with the strength to endure and remain resilient and it is perfectly ok to set healthy boundaries. Big hugs to you
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shug, for your kindness. Yes, He certainly does. Philippians 4:13 is a special verse to me because the Lord used it through a piece of scroll work that my husband did for me during a rough time. Thank you for the hugs, my friend.
DeleteSanctification is ongoing and we can never retire but we keep learning in mild ways and very difficult ways, too. God works through us and upon us whatever He wants. I know you know that. Resilience is something that goes along with Sanctification well. Praying right now for His joy in the midst for you, too. I turned my head around to look on our book shelves and there is the Boundaries book that you are reading. I wish I would have put a date in all the books to be able to see when I first read them. :) Good for you for learning how to do things with your phone. I have not attempted to do that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Ellen, for your prayers. His joy is truly in the midst of the ways He chooses to strengthen in my weakness. I probably wouldn't have tried to do things with the blog on my phone if it hadn't been for the fact that our desktop computer was throwing a fit. lol. The computer is still my favorite way, but in a pinch, I now know that I can do things from my phone.
DeleteI'm sorry for the issue you've been dealing with and am praying. Thank you for sharing those comforting verses and lessons learned in hard times. We do draw close to the Lord in these times and looking back, I always see things I learned, but it's surely not easy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mari. It was an ongoing thing for several months and I'm thankful to be on "the other side" of it. I am thankful for the lessons that I've learned through it all...especially that resilience isn't about my strength but it's about HIS.
DeleteI hesitate to say I'm sorry you have had those experiences this year already, but only because you mentioned that you are thankful for the lessons learned. I am glad you are 'on the other side' of it.
ReplyDeleteStay warm and safe in all that snow you have.
Thank you, Willow, for your thoughtfulness. The lessons learned are the important part. They will help me through another time, perhaps.
DeleteWe were down to -6 last night, and it got up to around 14 today. Just a couple more days of this and then the temperatures are to be up in the 30's and over the weekend they are to reach into the 40's. Even though it was really cold today, the sun was shining the majority of the day and that always brightens the spirits. xx
I've often wondered why some people are more resilient that others and why people seem less resilient these days than in the past (generally speaking--there are always exceptions). I think undergoing hard things really does prepare us to handle harder things and life in general. I love what you said about our resilience coming from Him and His strength.
ReplyDeleteIf there's one thing I learned through this time of testing, it is that I am the weak one and HE is the strong One. It's increased the depth of my time in His Word also. xx
DeleteSometimes God uses the hard times to make us stronger or teach us. I know He has for me. :). Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, He does, my friend. Thank you so much, Karen, for your prayers. xx
DeleteKeeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. I appreciate that so much. xx
DeleteIt seems no matter what there are life challenges that test us and require us to have faith. Love your word!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. xx
DeleteHard times brings us closer to God.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Bill.
DeleteAnother excellent word! I don't do word of the year but I decided recently that my two words for the rest of my life are humility and service! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThose are both good words, my friend. xx
DeleteOooh, my friend! I'm not sure I would like the word resilience - it's just begging for hard times, like praying for patience. Not that hard times don't come naturally - they certainly do, and resilience is certainly needed. It's a gift from God, but also a characteristic we develop like kindness, patience, and all the other gifts of the spirit. What I love about God is that he comes through when he hears our fervent cries for help. God bless you this year, my resilient friend. Marsha :) xxxx
ReplyDeleteI know, Marsha. I was a bit unsettled about it in the beginning, but it has already proven to be helpful for me this year. I tend to be one who whines all along the way when a trial comes along, but now I'm looking for the lessons to be learned along the way. He is faithful..even when I am not.
DeleteKeep listening to the Lord and you will be better and stronger by the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from mylifeinourfathersworld.com
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving an encouraging comment.
DeleteI've had times to practice resilience myself this month too. Not fun when we're in the middle of it, but satisfying when we can come out the other side. It's helpful to see this list of synonyms! Perseverance is the one that sticks out to me the most. Thank you, friend!
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point, my friend, concerning perseverance. I've set some boundaries this month and it's been tempting at times to give them up, but every time I would think about it, the word perseverance would come to mind. Praying for you. xx
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