with Dr Duany
Resilience in the Midst of Coronavirus
What makes a person stand and face suffering and adversity while others remain stagnant without being able to move forward when facing the crisis? The answer is a concept called resilience. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of trauma, tragedy, threats, or other significant stress.
The resilience of the human being is marked by what happens, not simply after a traumatic event, but before the event. There are studies showing that people who have had a childhood marked by abandonment, in which they could not develop emotional intelligence or learn to regulate their emotions, are more likely to succumb to the crisis. These people usually deal with a small neurological malformation that prevents them from controlling emotions, and they collapse when facing a serious life event, such as losing their jobs, marital problems, or any other similar crisis.
Resilience is an attitude learned from childhood as a person grows in a loving support system. In fact, the first months of human life are crucial to controling your emotions in the adult stage. But there are other factors that determine resilience. Some of these factors are: religious beliefs, level of emotional intelligence, and access to a support system. Research has shown that no single factor determines resilience. Resilience is a character trait and strength that can be learned. It is up to the commitment of each person to strive in the midst of adversity.
If we allow the Bible to speak to us about this matter, we will find Job who showed a high level of resilience when he lost everything and decided to trust God, saying, “for I know that my Redeemer lives,” (Job 19:25-27).
Below are ten habits that help resilient people rise from their adversities:
1. Practice self-awareness. Self-awareness will allow you to know your weaknesses and strengths. When you look at yourself and discover your limits, you can set goals in the midst of adversity
2. Develop a positive self-esteem. Your adverse circumstances do not define your destiny or who you are as a person. Your identity is given to you by your Creator. When you trust the One who directs your life, you discover that your value as a person is not determined by events or the things you have achieved, but by who you are when you are connected to Jesus.
3. See your crises as opportunities. Nothing happens in life without God allowing it to happen. The ways in which you interpret your adversities will determine the emotions you will experience.
4. Live in the here and now. The Bible says, in Matthew 6:25- 34, “Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about its own things.” Accept what God has given you today and leave tomorrow and its concerns in God’s hands.
5. Be optimistic. A child of God is optimistic because he believes in God’s power. No matter what crisis may come into your life, there will always be a glorious morning to come.
6. Surround yourself with positive people. The people around you influence your life and your way of thinking. Choose friends who can help you grow and who can extend a helping hand when you are down.
7. Learn to manage your emotions. The Holy Spirit begins to work in you by helping you develop self-control.
8. Be flexible. Resilient people are flexible enough to understand the crisis in which they are immersed and adapt to adverse circumstances.
9. Seek help from others. Resilient people seek company in the midst of their pain. The natural tendency of the human mind is to withdraw when facing trauma. The brain shuts down before trauma. You must fight against isolating yourself in the face of the crisis.
10. Trust God. Resilient people trust God. They know their destiny is in God’s hands.
God has created you with an ability to be resistant and resilient even in the most difficult trial that can come to your life. Don’t give up. Trust God.