Key Takeaways
1. Global trauma has left us vulnerable, necessitating resilience
We haven't yet paid the psychological bill for all we've been through.
Pandemic impact. The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have left a profound psychological impact on humanity. The sudden loss of normal life, constant fear, and prolonged uncertainty have created a shared trauma experience. This trauma has depleted our emotional reserves, making us vulnerable to further psychological stress.
Need for resilience. In this compromised state, we face trials that Jesus warned about as we approach the "end of the age." Our hearts need guidance and preparation to navigate these challenging times. Developing resilience is crucial to overcome the trauma and face future trials. This resilience is not just about bouncing back, but about developing a strength that prevails in the face of adversity.
Recovery and preparation. We must acknowledge the trauma we've experienced, allow ourselves to grieve, and actively work on recovery. Simultaneously, we need to prepare ourselves for potential future challenges by strengthening our mental, emotional, and spiritual resources.
2. The strength that prevails comes from God within us
God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Divine strength. The resilience we need is not something we can conjure up through willpower alone. It's a supernatural strength that comes from God himself, who dwells within believers. This strength is described in Scripture as katischuó - a valiant, overcoming strength that can prevail against any adversity.
Accessing inner resources. To tap into this strength, we need to learn to access the presence of God within us. This involves:
- Giving God our undivided attention
- Practicing "benevolent detachment" from worldly concerns
- Descending into our innermost being to commune with God
Practical steps. Some practical ways to access this strength include:
- Setting aside time for undistracted communion with God
- Using simple prayers or phrases to focus on God's presence
- Asking the Holy Spirit for help in accessing deeper levels of communion
3. Attachment to God provides assurance of abundance
God loves you more tenderly and more irrevocably than the best of mothers.
Mother-love analogy. Our need for attachment and assurance of abundance is deeply rooted in our experience of mother-love. God, as the source of all mothering, offers to heal and fulfill this primal need in ways that surpass even the best earthly mothers.
Healing through attachment. By forming a deep, loving attachment to God, we can experience:
- The assurance that our needs will be met
- Comfort and solace in times of distress
- A sense of being deeply loved and valued
Practical application. To develop this attachment:
- Spend time meditating on God's love for you
- Practice visualizing yourself as a child in God's loving embrace
- Use prayers that invite God's mothering presence into your life
4. Convert unconverted places in your heart to Christ
Salvation is a process, not an event.
Ongoing transformation. Salvation involves the progressive re-creation of our fallen humanity through union with Christ. This process reveals "unconverted places" in our hearts - areas not yet fully aligned with God's will and character.
Identifying unconverted areas. These areas often surface during times of stress or trial, revealing:
- Lingering fears or doubts
- Unhealthy attachments or addictions
- Unresolved anger or bitterness
Steps for conversion. To address these areas:
- Acknowledge the unconverted place without shame
- Invite Christ into that specific area of your life
- Ask for His transforming presence to permeate that part of you
- Cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the ongoing process of change
5. Beware of false Edens and maintain allegiance to God
Remember Lot's wife!
Danger of divided allegiance. In times of stress and longing for comfort, we may be tempted to turn to "false Edens" - worldly sources of security and pleasure that promise relief but ultimately lead us away from God.
Recognizing false Edens. These can take many forms:
- Materialism and consumerism
- Escapism through entertainment or addictions
- Idealized visions of a perfect life apart from God
Maintaining allegiance. To stay faithful:
- Regularly examine your heart for divided loyalties
- Practice surrendering your desires and plans to God
- Focus on the promise of true Eden restored in Christ's return
6. Develop mental, emotional, and spiritual resilience
"Do not worry" is a command, not a suggestion.
Mental resilience. Build mental strength by:
- Controlling speculation and worry
- Practicing positive self-talk based on Scripture
- Limiting exposure to negative media and social influences
Emotional resilience. Strengthen your emotional life by:
- Acknowledging emotions without being ruled by them
- Bringing feelings under the rule of Christ
- Practicing emotional control in small daily challenges
Spiritual resilience. Deepen your spiritual life through:
- Regular times of prayer and worship
- Memorizing and meditating on Scripture
- Cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God
7. Practice daily habits to strengthen your relationship with God
Plan to become the most converted person your friends and family know.
New monasticism. Rearrange your life to center around your relationship with God. This involves:
- Setting aside regular times for prayer and communion with God
- Making worship a daily practice
- Studying and meditating on Scripture
Practical habits. Incorporate these practices into your daily routine:
- Morning, noon, and evening prayers
- Regular times of worship, even if brief
- Daily declarations of faith (e.g., reciting creeds or key Scriptures)
- Moments of "benevolent detachment" throughout the day
Personalized prescription. Ask Jesus for a personalized "prescription" for your spiritual life, tailored to your needs and circumstances. This might include specific practices, focuses, or lifestyle changes.
8. Prepare for Christ's return with single-heartedness
I give everything for your everything.
Urgency of preparation. The signs point to the possibility that we are living in the final moments before Christ's return. This calls for a sense of urgency in our spiritual preparation.
Single-heartedness. The key to preparation is developing a single-hearted devotion to Christ. This involves:
- Surrendering all other "lovers" and false comforts
- Making Jesus your ultimate desire and focus
- Living with an eternal perspective
Practical steps. To cultivate single-heartedness:
- Regularly examine your heart for divided loyalties
- Practice surrendering your plans and desires to God daily
- Focus on the promise of Christ's return and the restoration of all things
- Live each day as if it could be the day of Christ's return
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FAQ
What's "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times" about?
- Theme of Resilience: The book focuses on building resilience in the face of modern life's challenges, particularly after the global trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Spiritual Guidance: John Eldredge offers spiritual guidance to help readers restore their weary souls by drawing on Christian teachings and practices.
- Practical Tools: It provides practical tools and prayers to strengthen the heart and soul, emphasizing the importance of a deep connection with God.
- End Times Context: The book also discusses the concept of living through the end times, urging readers to prepare their hearts and souls for these trials.
Why should I read "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times"?
- Addressing Modern Challenges: It addresses the unique challenges of living in today's fast-paced, often overwhelming world, offering a path to peace and resilience.
- Spiritual Renewal: The book provides a framework for spiritual renewal, helping readers reconnect with their faith and find strength in God.
- Practical Advice: Eldredge offers practical advice and exercises that can be easily incorporated into daily life to build resilience.
- Hope and Encouragement: It offers hope and encouragement, reminding readers of the promise of God's presence and the ultimate restoration of all things.
What are the key takeaways of "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times"?
- Resilience is Essential: Building resilience is crucial for navigating the challenges of modern life and maintaining spiritual health.
- Connection with God: A deep, personal connection with God is the foundation of true resilience and peace.
- Supernatural Graces: The book emphasizes the importance of tapping into supernatural graces, such as God's glory and the river of life, for strength and renewal.
- Preparation for End Times: Readers are encouraged to prepare their hearts and souls for the trials of the end times, maintaining faith and hope in God's promises.
How does John Eldredge suggest we build resilience in "Resilient"?
- Daily Practices: Eldredge suggests incorporating daily practices such as prayer, worship, and benevolent detachment to build resilience.
- Supernatural Graces: He emphasizes the importance of receiving supernatural graces like God's glory and the river of life to strengthen the soul.
- Attachment to God: Developing a deep attachment to God, akin to a new mother-child bond, is crucial for emotional and spiritual resilience.
- Mental and Emotional Control: The book advises controlling speculation and emotions, focusing on positive self-talk and scripture to maintain mental resilience.
What is the "River of Life" concept in "Resilient"?
- Source of Renewal: The "River of Life" is a metaphor for the life-giving presence of God that flows within believers, offering renewal and strength.
- Spiritual Nourishment: It represents the spiritual nourishment and vitality that comes from a deep connection with God.
- Prayer for the River: Eldredge encourages readers to pray for the river of life to flow within them, restoring and healing their souls.
- Continuous Flow: The concept emphasizes that God's life and strength are always available, and believers simply need to tap into it.
How does "Resilient" address the concept of the end times?
- Urgency and Preparation: Eldredge discusses the urgency of preparing for the end times, as described in Christian scripture, and the trials that may come.
- Strength and Endurance: The book emphasizes the need for strength and endurance to withstand these trials and remain faithful.
- Avoiding Deception: Readers are warned about the potential for deception and the importance of staying true to their faith.
- Hope in Restoration: Despite the challenges, the book offers hope in the promise of the restoration of all things through Christ's return.
What role does "attachment to God" play in building resilience according to "Resilient"?
- Foundation of Resilience: Attachment to God is presented as the foundation of true resilience, providing emotional and spiritual security.
- Healing Mother-Need: The book suggests that God can fulfill the primal need for mother-love, offering comfort and assurance of abundance.
- New Attachment: Salvation is described as forming a new attachment with God, transforming identity and character.
- Continuous Connection: Maintaining a continuous, loving connection with God helps believers draw strength and resilience from Him.
What are the "supernatural graces" mentioned in "Resilient"?
- God's Glory: One of the supernatural graces is God's glory, which fills believers with life-sustaining power and resilience.
- Eden Glory: The book describes "Eden Glory" as the regenerative power of God that protects against desolation and renews the soul.
- Strength That Prevails: Another grace is the "strength that prevails," a combative strength to overcome trials and remain faithful.
- River of Life: The "River of Life" is a continuous flow of God's presence and strength, available to believers for renewal and healing.
How does "Resilient" suggest we handle the longing for life to be good again?
- Acknowledge the Longing: Eldredge advises acknowledging the deep longing for life to be good again, rather than dismissing or shaming it.
- Turn to God: The book encourages turning this longing toward God, loving Him in the midst of it, and seeking fulfillment in His promises.
- Avoid False Comforts: Readers are warned against seeking relief in false comforts or counterfeit Edens, which ultimately disappoint.
- Hope in Restoration: The longing is reframed as a yearning for the ultimate restoration of all things, which will be fulfilled in God's kingdom.
What are some of the best quotes from "Resilient" and what do they mean?
- "The longing for things to be good again is one of the deepest yearnings of the human heart." This quote highlights the universal desire for restoration and peace, which the book addresses through spiritual resilience.
- "We need the supernatural graces to guard our hearts against both Desolation and the riptide pull to draw away from God." It emphasizes the importance of divine strength and protection in maintaining faith and resilience.
- "The story of God has been, is now, and always will be the story of the world." This quote reassures readers that despite current chaos, God's narrative remains central and unchanging.
- "We must, we must, we must choose single-heartedness, where we desire Jesus above everything else." It calls for a wholehearted commitment to God as the source of true resilience and fulfillment.
How does "Resilient" address the issue of mental and emotional resilience?
- Mental Control: The book advises taking control of one's thought life, avoiding speculation, and focusing on positive self-talk and scripture.
- Emotional Bridle: Emotional resilience involves acknowledging emotions but not letting them drive decisions or undermine faith.
- Attachment Security: Emotional fortitude is rooted in the security of attachment to God, providing a stable base for resilience.
- Daily Practices: Regular practices like prayer, worship, and benevolent detachment help build mental and emotional resilience.
What is the significance of "Remember Lot's wife" in "Resilient"?
- Warning Against Looking Back: The phrase serves as a warning against turning back to old comforts or divided allegiances in times of trial.
- Test of Allegiance: It highlights the importance of maintaining a single-hearted allegiance to God, especially when tempted to seek relief elsewhere.
- Fear of Loss: The story of Lot's wife illustrates the fear of losing one's life and the danger of clinging to worldly securities.
- Call to Single-Heartedness: Eldredge uses this biblical reference to urge readers to choose God above all else, ensuring resilience and faithfulness.
Review Summary
Resilient receives mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its timely message and practical advice for restoring spiritual resilience post-pandemic. Many find the prayers and exercises helpful, though some feel the book is too focused on end-times theology. Reviewers appreciate Eldredge's empathetic approach and insights on trauma and attachment. Some criticize the book for being repetitive or lacking depth. Overall, readers find it a comforting and encouraging read for those struggling with weariness and seeking to strengthen their faith in turbulent times.
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