Resilience is the ability to bounce back after a set back. It's the ability to not only keep moving forward, but to grow as you walk through a season of adversity or change. And if you have been in ministry for any length of time, then more than likely, you have faced adversity. Sometimes the set backs are small. Perhaps your 4th Grade Small Group Leader, who is fully engaged with the kids each Sunday, suddenly announces she is moving. Other times, the set backs are huge. For example, there is a change in leadership at your church. Several months in, you realize that the vision you are carrying does not align with the vision of the new leader. The question is not if you will face situations like these, but how you will walk through them. How resilient will you be? Resilience is natural for some people, but it is also a leadership trait that we can learn and improve on. The people you know that appear to be resilient likely have a combination of traits, skills and resources that help them manage set backs. Consider these factors in the resilient leader: Inherited Traits Genes matter. Some people are born with a P.M.A. (positive mental attitude). Others naturally struggle with anxiety and stress. While we are all capable of becoming resilient, it's important to recognize that our genes play a role. Circle of Influence The people you surround yourself with impact your experiences. The feedback you receive from family, friends, co-workers, colleagues and spiritual leaders play a role in how you will respond to your circumstances. When you encounter struggles, it is important to surround yourself with people who will help you bounce back. Healthy Thinking What you say to yourself during a struggle is the most factor. What you think is powerful. Or as Joyce Meyer phrases it, "Where the mind goes, the man follows." Creating a healthy inner dialogue leads to a positive outlook. "As a man thinks in his heart, so he is." (Proverbs 23:7) Ask yourself:
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