Porch #143 ⚓ 6 simple practices to build your resilience

anchor, focus, & stretch body, soul, & brain by enfolding these not-too-hard rhythms into your routine (+ bonus points!)

Jun 27, 2024

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-7:40

If you hear the wind blowing, chimes clanging, birds chirping, or road noise, it’s because the porch windows are wide open this afternoon as I do this voiceover. You’re welcome.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
- Romans 5:1-5

‘Resilient people are committed to finishing strong. They believe that quitting is not an option. They know that walking is unthinkable. They are convinced that building resilience is a daily pursuit. They despise aimlessness. They have the faces of champions.’
Gordon Macdonald, A Resilient Life: You Can Move Ahead No Matter What

Good weekend to you, treasured resilient (or maybe not so much) readers!

I wish I could say that I learned resilience the easy way … with my feet up, life going smoothly, everything coming up roses, and whistling a happy tune.

But that’s not how it’s played out.

I don’t know about you, but when all is said and done, I’ve learned the truest, sturdiest resilience during the hard times. Yep, right in the midst of those fragile seasons that drain us dry and have us scraping bottom, seemingly forever.

When we least expect it, God is working behind the scenes building perseverance and resilience into our spiritual and emotional DNA for His glory and our benefit.

Yes, He can boost our limited energy and waning spirits as we add simple common sense practices into our daily routines. These choices can create space for His healing presence to be known. God offers comfort and hope as these daily rhythms bend and stretch us into wholeness, nudging us toward restoration and maturity and a broader view of our place in the world and His call on our lives.

Six Surprising Ways to Boost Your Resilience

Each of these choices can anchor us, focus us, and stretch our emotional, physical, and spiritual resilience. And wonder of wonders, some will take all of 300 seconds to accomplish.

1. Meditating (on the Lord)

‘5 Minute Prayers Anchored to Truth, Love, and Peace.’ Soulspace Christian Meditations calm racing minds, speak peace into anxious souls, and invite us to tap into the presence of God.
👍 Bonus Points: Do this in the morning before checking your phone for anything. And repeat yet again at bedtime.

2. Singing (praise)

There’s healing power in praising the name of Jesus. It amazes me how He inhabits the praises of His people and in the process, instills a deep spirit of gratitude that we’d never be able to drum up on our own (Psalm 22:3).
👍 Bonus Points: Dust off an old hymn book. Hum. Pick up your guitar. Find a worshipful You Tube channel. Clap your hands. Sit down at the piano. Grab your dancing shoes.

3. Going (outdoors)

All creation sings His praises (Psalm 19:1-4). It’s hard to fully experience the works of His hands when we’re cloistered within our four walls. Breathing fresh air and immersing ourselves in His awesome handiwork speaks life into our weariness.
👍 Bonus Points: Tie on your sneakers. Do a bit of yardwork. Ride a bike. Wield a camera. Be a tourist in your town. Jog down the block. Pick flowers from a field. Listen for birdsong.

4. Creating (something new)

Bake bread. Write a poem. Design something. Re-arrange the furniture. Paint a masterpiece. Build a sandcastle. Tap out a new tune. Plant herbs. Take lessons. Hammer together a little shelf or birdhouse.
👍 Bonus Points: Ask yourself, ‘what did I love creating when I was a kid?’

5. Reading (a Psalm)

This is our prayer book when we don’t know what to pray. David experienced a range of difficult emotions – fear, desperation, hurt, desire, anger, frustration, anxiety, and depression. He gave us a voice for our desperate neediness as we spend time with the Healer of our hearts.
👍 Bonus Points: Read out loud as you copy God’s Word into a notebook. Try a new-to-you version. Memorize a verse a week. Listen to a reading of the Psalms. Craft your own personalized prayer book.

6. Connecting (offline)

Hard times beg us to be isolated and lonely. Our vision narrows and our self-absorption expands. We grow fonder of our screens instead of pursuing the company of others. As we begin to venture outside ourselves, we discover that wonder of wonders, there are others in far more need than we are.
👍 Bonus Points: Invite a neighbor over for a cup of coffee. Send an encouraging snail mail note. Volunteer. Call someone you’ve been missing. Applaud someone. Host a block party. Remember a birthday. Bless your pastor and family.