Resilient

Introduction

Taking Shots: COVID, Election, jobs - a lot of adversity

Adversity is built into life as we know it and the way of Jesus and the experience of following him.

Vulnerable

Hard time bouncing back emotionally

Hit Hard But Not

Lose heart

How?

2 Corinthians 4:7–18 ESV

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Facing The Things That Break Us Down

[Leads to Death]

In life there are always risks. Following Jesus, at times, even riskier largely because of what he asks of us. That makes his life all the more real to us and in us.

He is making himself known

When our humanity/mortal side struggles, is taking hits, pressured, emotionally flat...

Even though it often looks like things are falling apart on the outside,

God is making new life/renewing us...

renewed - to make new; daily renewing and strengthening by the Spirit that lifts us above external pressures.

no day goes by without his grace being given.

We are being renewed every day so that we can adapt to challenging and threatening circumstances and chaos around us.

This is resilience

Charity

Not Just For Us

So THAT grace we experienced would reach more people

-Resilient people understand their purpose is to live according to the way of Jesus so that others can experience life (their own resilience, etc.)

God’s reputation grows