Resilience in the Face of Adversity
CCDC Weekly Message 10-19-2020
“Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Tabitha is a mom of a 9-year-old daughter, Nevaeh, who has autism and significant emotional and mental issues that make life very difficult for her. Debby and I have gotten to know them over the past year that they have coming to CCDC. Tabitha has been open with us about her daughter’s struggles in school and about her ex-husband’s lack of support. Our hearts go out to them and we have sought to encourage Tabitha and keep her in our prayers.
Life for any parent with a special needs child can be a tough struggle, but it’s even more difficult for those in poverty without the financial means to obtain all the needed resources. Debby and I raised two sons who struggled with learning disabilities. We know how hard it is to find and obtain for them the right educational resources they needed.
When any of us have to face significant struggles, we need to find the right way to hang in and not give up in despair. We got to have resilience. Paul, who truly faced great struggles in his life and ministry, knew well how to be resilient and not succumb to fear or despair.
When Paul encourages the Corinthians not to give up, he spoke out of his own dealing with great struggles. He’s very open about what he was going through.
Paul shared the secret to resilience in the face of adversity. He stated, “So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” First, let me say that this is not some religious gimmick or mental trick. It’s not a matter of mind over matter either . Nor is it merely trying to make yourself feel better. Paul calls for our focus to be on Heaven where all the resources of God reside. There we find infinite love, hope, encouragement, strength, and every fruit of the Holy Spirit. Although all these are “unseen,” they are more than real.
Tabitha dealt with the difficulties of her daughter’s needs by seeking the resources of Heaven. She asked us for prayer and she has seen how God has enabled her to remain resilient through some discouraging times getting Nevaeh’s school to give her the help she’s needed. But we see God answering her prayers as her daughter is getting the educational resources, and her father has come through with his financial support.
Nevaeh’s name is Heaven spelled backward. Her name is a reminder of the power of Heaven working in her life.
In my recovering from back surgery, I’m too looking up to the power of Heaven for the healing and hope of a full recovery. God provided me with a wonderful Christian surgeon who corrected the pinching of five nerves in my back. And I know God will provide me with the resilience to manage the pain and discomfort through my recovery process over the next months.
Our supporters and volunteers help us to keep resilient in our efforts to spread the hope of Heaven to all who come to the ministry of CCDC. We’re grateful for the donations of funds and special gifts of items we need for our lunches and dinners, as well as for clothing and blankets, especially in this colder weather. We are also so thankful for the people who pray for us and our ministry.