Tuesday, June 14

The Great Resignation vs. Great Resilience

Scripture: 2 Kings 13-14, Psalm 70, 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.

Observation

Paul described his ministry among the Thessalonians (lots of good stuff in there). He starts with this comment about his coming from Philippi where they had “suffered and were treated outrageously.” That would make most of us, including me, more cautious. It made Paul more bold. “We were emboldened to speak the gospel to you in spite of great opposition.” He went from the frying pan (Philippi) to the fire (Thessalonica) and only grew more bold in sharing the good news of Jesus. Amazing. 

Application

I’ve been thinking about resilience. It’s been a difficult few years—and still is. The Great Resignation has affected the church. Pastors and church leaders are tired, frustrated, discouraged. Some have resigned; many want to and are hanging on by a thread.  

There are basically three responses to extended hardship: quit, hang on, step up. We may give up and quit. We may hang on but not thrive. Or we may step up and be bold. Our greatest opportunity may be hiding within our opposition!

Paul stepped up. He was remarkably resilient. Why? I believe that resilience comes from facing hardship and stepping up. We build that resilience muscle each time we use it, much like we do in weight training for our bodies.

The problem for many of us is that we haven’t used it much. We haven’t faced that much (or that severe) opposition, and our resilience muscle is weak. Or we’ve faced it and quit or just hung on. 

Paul learned to “take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10. So when he faced “great opposition” in Thessalonica, he was only more emboldened. 

What hardship or opposition are you facing? Lean into God’s strength, be bold, exercise that resilience muscle, and see what God does.

Prayer: Lord, help me “take pleasure” in hardship and exercise my resilience muscle. Make me bold in doing Your will.