Written by Maria Iskander.
The idea of being alive in 2020 used to be exciting and special. It was a once in a century event - for it would be the only year that we would all live through, where the first two digits match the second two digits.
Now, as you read this, do you remember this excitement and those special feelings about 2020?
No? Me neither.
After all, this once in a 100-year event of double digits quickly morphed into a once in a 100-year global health pandemic. In turn, that once in a 100-year global health pandemic morphed into a once in a 100-year economic crisis - the likes of which have not been seen since the Great Depression. Life and normalcy for both the young and the elderly has changed. Indeed, 2020 is a painful ‘metamorphosis’ for all human lives.
The Oxford dictionary defines metamorphosis as: “A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one”. In consequence, this type of change is guaranteed to create two pains: a pain that hurts you and a pain that changes you. With this promise of such pain, resilience can be useful - vital even - to recover quickly and survive.
Resilience, in practise, means:
“The ability to bounce back to your normal self after mishaps, troubles and hardships”.
In saying that, it can be hard to get out of a rough patch in life - take it from someone who has been there and done that. Even when things seemed to be getting better overall, I would feel that I was too far into the belly of the beast. It seemed like nothing could ever change. Of course, after allowing myself to consider my emotions I would learn that time after time, everything changes for good. Even the most terrible things.
Can you relate?
Nevertheless, resilience is a learned behaviour. Therefore, you and I are fortunately capable of managing our emotions to our advantage - particularly during times of suffering.
Putting Christ in the picture, here are seven practical steps that can help one manifest resilience:
Step one is to keep a positive attitude. Now committing to this first step requires considerable effort and choice. Although staying positive is key to deflecting our ongoing stressors, it is much easier to throw in the towel. Fortunately, the Bible promises that we, as children of God, may fall seven times, but will rise to success repeatedly (Proverbs 24:16).
Step two prompts us to reframe our stressful thoughts. This step urges us to reframe the difficult events in our heads, or to look at them from a different perspective. This step helps us prevent feelings of hopelessness.
For like a seed rooted in the dark pits of the ground, failure is essential for our growth.
If anything, in a Christian perspective, suffering and persecution a noted imperative to pursuing a godly life in Christ (2 Timothy 3:12).
After cultivating optimism, step three involves us finding a resilient role model. Particularly in the Coptic Church, the saints and martyrs are our easiest bets to follow. After all, they were resilient in their faith. Their values and legacies are timeless. From patiently enduring persecution to obeying God and maintaining their faith (Rev 14:12), the saints and martyrs are fine role models for us to look up to - especially in our times of distress.
Step four emphasises the need to face our fears. As St. James the Apostle notes (James 1:2-4), facing our fears leads to endurance, and this endurance will make our faith in God perfect and complete.
After facing our fears, step five pinpoints the need for active coping skills. Despite how strange it may feel initially, create positive statements about yourself. Make sure the statements remind you on a personal scale of your God given abilities and on how far you have come in this life. For when you are direct in these positive statements, you will yield to feelings of peace and cheerfulness during difficult times (John 16:33).
After coping skills come support networks in step six. No one can get through hardships alone. Even in Philippians 4:13, we are gently reminded that our God strengthens us to do all things. This includes dealing with hardships and dark days. So, to follow step six, be sure to nurture a supportive social network. It does not have to be large; it must simply exist. By building a safety net of close relationships with friends or organizations, you will boost your resilience during times of stress. Plus, supportive social networks give you a chance to help your friends or organisations deal with their own stressors. What more could you ask for?
Finally, step seven promotes the prioritisation of our physical wellbeing. On a literal scale, regular exercise is one of the best ways to cleanse the mind of stress - and with good reason. According to modern science, regular exercise has been linked to improvements in human mood, cognition, immunity and overall self-esteem. In a figurative sense, physical wellbeing is noted in Hebrews 12:1-2 as the way to run with endurance. To run with endurance means to take an active part in the race God has set for us. We can achieve this by focusing our eyes on Jesus. Again, it is all about reframing your mindset.
May these seven steps help you and I in broadening our own outlook, and thereby inspire us to be more resilient.
As it is important for a leader to demonstrate resilience for their co-workers, it is important for us as Christians to demonstrate resilience in this modern-day society.
This is because people, no matter how old, young or indifferent, will inevitably look to us in difficult times. They will look to us for emotional strength and courage. Therefore, if we as Christians are not equipped with resilience, we will not raise people’s spirits from the ‘dead’. And if this occurs, our Christian faith, as St. Paul states, will be considered futile and wavering (1 Corinthians 15:14).
So, what are we waiting for?
Let us work together now to do what is right.
Let us follow these seven steps with all our might.
Let us project a positive outlook and a path of light.
And let us maintain a shared vision - resilience, in hindsight.
Maria Iskander is a woman of God with a fiery spirit, positive mindset and stubborn personality. She has loved writing since childhood. Now, at 23 years of age, she has released numerous poems, blogs, lyrics; and most recently a book that delve into the mind of St Athanasius of Alexandria.
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