To View the Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UBW_hZhi6Iw
SHOW NOTES
How well do you get back up after you’ve been knocked down? Welcome to a new week of the Hope Rescue Podcast where we are continuing our conversation on resilience. Last week we discussed three ways to boost your resilience in difficult times, and this week we are covering six simple tips for getting through tough times.
Adversity does not discriminate. The death of a family member can suddenly be a reality for any of us. Financial failure can come out of nowhere for anyone. Divorce or family struggles are more common than not. Health problems can pop up for even the healthiest person.
Resilience is available to all but only experienced by some.
When adversity comes knocking on our door and it's out of our control, it can become overwhelming. Locus of control is the degree to which people believe that they have control over the outcome of events in their lives. There are methods in the realm of psychology that assist people in believing that they are in control of the situations that arise. Tim says that the best advice for getting the locus of control into the correct hands is found in 1 Peter 5:6-7 which says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” When we put control in the hands of God, we won't feel so hopeless when adversity arrives.
Turn control over to the Lord. Second Corinthians 4:7-11 says, “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.”
Instead of resisting adversity, the apostle Paul leaned into it and knew that his life was meant to be lived with the view that he was living out the death of Jesus. We are suffering for Christ. We were not placed on earth for our own gratification, but for Christ’s glorification.
6 Tips for Getting Through Tough Times
Have a theological perspective. Power belongs to God, not to us. When we believe that we have the power, we are setting ourselves up for tremendous failure and disappointment. Release the need for control and understand that God is in control.
Stop resisting what God is allowing. Submit to the will of the Lord. Pray for God’s will and release the outcome into the hands of the Lord.
Change your perspective. Tim explains that when he was young and having a hard time with something, his dad would ask him if he thought he would still be bothered about this matter five years from now. When you are going through a hard time, change the perspective in which you are looking at the matter. In five years, will it still bother you? In light of eternity, does it even matter?
Don’t take anything you have for granted. Give thanks to the Lord for all He has provided. When you feel like you don’t have enough, thank God for all he has already given you.
Connect with others and find support in trying times. Find people who have been through what you are going through, and don’t be afraid to humble yourself and ask for advice.
Stay focused on your purpose when things get tough. If your purpose is to love those around you well, stay focused on that when adversity comes. Keep your eyes focused on your purpose.
