Sermon On Resilience

Jagadish “Jaggi” Vasudev, better known by the honorific title “Sadhguru,” an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “Once in a way, something may go wrong in your life. But if your mind and your energies are focused on beating yourself up, it will become a series of disasters.” 2 Timothy 1:7 confirms: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. It includes the often considered insurmountable problem of coping with affliction, ailments, or unwanted situations with a positive approach, in an attempt to resolve and implement flexibility to difficult situations that are presented in life, often without warning. However, to be effective, it also needs to resist yielding or acceptance to bad external forces of influence.

There are always definitive ways and means of overcoming obstacles or difficulties in life with the right help and guidance. These are primarily attributable to the providence of God. If we can maintain faith and trust that He will deliver us from our struggles and provide the help and comfort that we need, then we will avoid the pitfalls of our own disasters. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Afflictions are not pleasant and often create untold problems. They can include bodily malfunctions, ailments, disease, poverty, hardship, insecurity, lack of confidence or homelessness, in fact almost every conceivable known situation of adversity possible. It takes much determination, strength, and fortitude to tackle the least problematic areas encountered in the various issues, let alone the more involved and complex aspects of the circumstances. It is in times like these that one requires the help of God. God is our refuge and shelter in times of trouble, just as a young child will run and seek the help of his or her parents in times of difficulty, so we also have the option of seeking God's divine assistance.

This not only helps us in our endeavours but also demonstrates faithfulness to God. Faithfulness is defined as the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances. It also confers trust, the belief in God's truth, ability and strength. Psalm 37:4-6 reminds us: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”

There are several Bible verses that individually refer to the "Five Crowns." The Five Heavenly Crowns, as they are also sometimes called, are a concept in Christian theology that appertain to heavenly rewards given by God to believers for faithfulness in our present life. They reputedly represent five separate crowns that may be awarded by God on or after Judgment day. They are known as: The Crown Of Life; The Incorruptible Crown; The Crown Of Righteousness; The Crown Of Glory; and The Crown Of Exultation.

James 1:12 relates directly to the Crown of Life which states: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

The Incorruptible Crown is referenced in 1 Corinthians 9:25 and confirms: “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” Paul’s meaning in this verse relates to the fact that a wreath does not last forever, it soon dies. As such, the crown of winning a race is often short-lived. However, Christians through self-denial and self-control, seek a crown that will never die,

The Crown of Righteousness is referred to in 2 Timothy 4:8 as: “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

The Crown of Glory is referenced in 1 Peter 5:4: “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

Finally, The Crown of Exultation is depicted in 1 Thessalonians 2;19: “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?”

Winston Churchill, the elected and former prime minister of the United Kingdom during the dark days of world war II, when we were primarily engaged in conflict with the post-war nation of the Federal Republic of Germany, once remarked: "Defeat is one thing, disgrace is another." Contingency plans have to be set in place if there is to be any hope of intrepidity. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”