The Path to Resilience

Resilience. The Military loves to throw around the word. It is defined as the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. The Military community is expected to bounce back from a myriad of challenges facing us daily. And then we expect our kids to bounce back from deployments and training. Bounce back from moves. Bounce back from friends leaving. Bounce back from the uncertainty of the future.

Experts say the more resilient children and families are those with strong connections—a network of people and resources holding them up. As Christians, we know our anchor is the Lord. He is our anchor and the one most capable of helping us bounce back from the worst of life’s experiences.

So how do we help our children strap on, hook in, and buckle up to this anchor when life’s bumps come?

First, we need to model our dependency on him. Unexpected bill show up? If your kids are mature enough to handle it, admit that it concerns you but also affirm that the Bible promises our God will supply all our needs. Is another training pulling your Service member away? Agree with your child that this will be hard, but also assure them that the Lord will protect you all. Have to go to a new church after a PCS? Admit you are a little nervous too, but also share that you know God will never leave you.

Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

Colossians 3:16 (CEV)

The psalms referred to in this verse probably means both the psalms in the Bible as well as other songs written to praise God. As we fill our days, both good and bad, with Scriptures and songs, we fill our children’s minds with it too.

Then when they are faced with tough times and disappointments—their friend moving away, a bad grade, not making the team, or a breakup of a relationship—we can turn them toward God their anchor. We can remind them of God’s perspective by sending them a Bible verse in a text message. Sing an uplifting song with them. Talk about a Bible story that shows how the Lord brought someone through a tough time.

When the good days come again, be sure to continue to fill your home and your minds with thanksgiving to God in words and songs. These things cinch up your tie to the anchor, making your family resilient, and ready to bounce back from whatever life brings.

PRAY

Lord, thank you for your Word which tells us of Jesus, our rock. Help me and my family to anchor ourselves in you. You are the best anchor through all the craziness life often brings. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Questions: How have you seen me rely on God? How can we, as a family, rely on God more?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand their Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Colossians 3:16

Psalm 42:8

Acts 16:24-25