Resilience!
What is resilience?
It is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Adversity is good for us, because if we respond to it in the right way, it makes us stronger . . . and it makes us resilient.
Resilience is a choice. When hard times come, we can complain and “stew in our juices” or we can look on the positive side, explore and find ways we can turn bad circumstances into good ones.
Working through the process of resilience should not be daunting in light of the promise God gives us in Romans 8:28 NKJV:
And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Add to that the promise in Ephesians 2:10 NKJV:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
A psychology journal reports that the human brain is wired to be six times more likely to believe the negative than to believe the positive. That is why we have to be intentional about thinking on the positive and do positive things. Being negative is natural. It takes not effort. But being positive takes effort. It is not a function of the natural mind, so we have to set our minds on heavenly things, God’s will and purposes, and practice looking for God’s deliverance and supply in every adverse situation we encounter.
There are many ways we can do that. One is to refuse to join the complainers. Psalms 1: 1-2 NKJV says:
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful . . .
Another way is to turn negative conversations into positive ones whenever we are talking with a negative person. That person may relate all the bad things the Marxists are doing in the country and end with a hopeless sort of attitude.
You can counter by talking about all the positive things happening in the country, of which there are many if one just looks for them.
You can also quote God’s promises from scripture. Remember the word of god is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Remember that scripture will not return to God without positive effects. When you quote scripture, you are agreeing with God. When you repeat the wicked things that are happening, you must remember these are the works of satan and when you repeat them, you are in effect spreading his gospel.
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 NKJV
I have often observed conversations that may take place in a Mom and Pop restaurant in rural areas. The “good old boys” sitting around a table in their equipment brand caps, jeans and work jackets will engage in negative conversation, in effect cursing themselves. What we confess with our mouths will often be our reward in life, because our words have creative power.
“Fertilizer is sky high, and I suppose now the crop prices will fall, and the government sits around and does nothing but fuel inflation. Now my dog is sick, and I suppose he’ll kick the bucket, and the engine in my pickup is making funny noises. I suppose that will blow up now.”
You’ve heard these kind of conversations, I’m sure. It’s enough to give you indigestion.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, OH LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Why? Because God is good. In Him there is no shadow of turning, so our words should reflect the truth, the truth of who God is. He is for us, and not against us. He will give us a future and a hope.
Because of the way we are wired naturally, the result of the fall, going with those who can seemingly speak nothing positive, takes no effort at all. It is like floating in the stream and going downstream with the current. Going upstream, against the current takes effort and intentionality. It is something we must consciously work at, and I might say, consistently work at in order to form a habit of looking to God for the silver lining. There is always a silver lining, no matter how dark and hopeless our circumstances may look at the time.
It may not be something that comes easily, but only with hard work. Proverbs 16:32 NKJV says:
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
FYI
Where do I begin?
First, we have some good news about the music CD project. Lorraine finally got on the phone with our photographer (she had been out of town for a time) and she informed us that we already have the rights to the photos in question. We now have all three photos we need for the CD jacket.
My next call was to Steve, our designer, who informed me that he will be traveling for the next six weeks. He said to get him the elements of the project and he will fit it in somewhere. Once Brad has mastered the song tracks and the design is done, we will go to duplication.
At this writing we still do not have the necessary funds to fix the $2600 car repair. We cannot travel. We are confined to short trips around town. Travel is vital to our ministry, so we must get the car fixed!
I have been investigating a possible school assembly and at this point the indicators are positive. Jesse, our Hip Hop dancer has a great message of hope to students and of course, they are mesmerized by his dancing.
Currently I am writing a series called “Encourage Yourself” on the website. The first two segments have been posted with a dramatic surge in visitors. Due to our country’s economic state, people need more encouragement now than ever, it seems.
As a reminder, if you are wanting to make a contribution to our ministry and would like to make an electronic donation, please visit our website.
At the bottom of the homepage you will find the contribution button.
We thank you for your continued support!
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38 (NIV)
In His Service,
George and Lorraine Halama
All contributions are tax deductible
Cover photo for the article was designed and taken by Lorraine
CD cover photo of George and Lorraine was taken by Inna Portraits of Fargo, North Dakota