Life events (adversity and challenges in life) come to everyone. There is no one that will be able to escape this life without facing some kind of challenge. Those challenges affect everyone different as well. Adversity comes in the form of divorce, loss of a job, looked over for promotion, death of a loved one, or injury. Injury tends to get people down more than anything else especially if it was a debilitating injury. Some people are able to pick themselves up, see past those events, and get through them without a problem; often becoming a stronger person because of the event. However, others aren't.
Resilience is the ability to "bounce back" or a better definition is the ability to bounce back and become stronger. For an individual it is the capability to face the adversity that they have in their lives and overcome it. I often bring up the point that about 25% of Americans suffer from depression and anxiety (depending on who you get your information from). While some of it is due to genetics others suffer from the behavioral issues because of life events. In some cases, those who are struck with depression are struck with what is called Major Depression if they see that there is no light at the tunnel.
Why Resilience Training
So, why do I bring up the depression and anxiety statistics so often? It's because when people are struck with adversity they often slip into depression or anxiety if they aren't resilient. A majority of the people that do have behavioral or mental health problems can't seek medical attention because either they can't afford it, they don't have insurance, or their insurance doesn't cover it. People who are struggling in many cases won't tell anyone because of shame. They will keep it to themselves and continue to struggle even more until it gets worse. They feel that it is looked upon as a bad thing and it often is. We say things like, "there is no reason a Christian should be going through that." But, I would point someone to the Book of Job when they say that. To further drive the point of why an organization should opt for some resilience training or a resilience seminar is because the leadership also needs it. When we talk about Churches as an organization (we are often calling it a "Corporate"; i.e corporate prayer) statistically speaking, Ministers and the Ministry Team suffer at a higher rate of depression and anxiety. It's estimated that about 17% suffer from just anxiety alone.
A common misconception is that if we are leading our weekly Sunday School or preaching we are doing what we can to help people become strong and face adversity. Actually, people will not tie that particular sermon with their suffering and it takes more than a couple of points in a sermon to help someone become resilient. You may say, "Well, I will conduct a sermon series over Resilience." That may be one way to do it, but unless they are actually paying attention, taking notes, and actually remembering your sermons from week to week the people won't get it.
The fact is the resilience training should be conducted in a learning environment and in a way that is relevant in learning this type of material. I have sat in on a few sermons and sermon series that were "supposedly" over resilience and they may have brushed over one or two points that actually help in building resilience. Same thing goes for the sermons and sermon series that are online; they rarely teach the real "meat" to being resilient.
Why I'm Such an Advocate And Knowledgeable
I usually share a bit of my testimony and how I learned to live with an injury that almost threw me into total despair. On my third deployment I was conducting a route clearance mission when the truck that I was in was struck by a large road side bomb that actually detonated under my seat (October 22, 2007). A neurologist that was on the forward operating base diagnosed me with traumatic brain injury. My leadership also knew that there was something wrong. The neurologist and my leadership (which I owe many thanks to) recommended that I be evacuated to be further evaluated. I made my way to Walter Reed where I was again diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and treated. I spent several weeks there receiving therapy for many of the cognitive issues that I was having. When I was able to go back to my home station it wasn't long until they decided that it was better if I was out of the Army to rehabilitate. They put me on a medical retirement.
This injury and everything that went with it started to take over; actually started to consume me. I wasn't taking home life or me not being my old self very well. Before this I was a very motivated, independent, and goal oriented person. As far as home life; I was never there because of some Army school, training exercise, or deployment. So, it all hit me hard. I couldn't do much other than make my appointments and there were many that I cancelled.
I was constantly searching for "Why Me, Lord" because I was a good soldier and had a good career going; this doesn't happen to Christians. Another thing that devastated me was that two years before I was injured I accepted the call into ministry (October 2005). How could God expect me to do ministry if I couldn't collect and hold a thought and I stuttered.
One day at an appointment I stumbled upon an article that told how well soldiers were dealing with post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury which wasn't very well. Because of these injuries many soldiers turn to drugs, alcohol, become homeless, or even worse commit suicide. At that moment I decided that I wasn't going to let myself slip any further.
I developed for myself some resilience techniques that was relevant for Christians. I soon started doing ministry again. My appointments started getting less and less until the Army actually asked me if I wanted to go back on active duty. When I got back in the Army I heard of a big program to help soldiers and their families become resilient. Of course my leadership thought that I was a great candidate for that training. I took every course that was relevant for my pay grade (E-6/SSG) which enabled me to train others to be resilient.
Long story short, I have now finished my obligation with the Army and starting this ministry to help others become resilient to help them overcome their challenges and adversity. Out of what I learned in my own experience and taught through the Army I have developed a Christian Resilience Program that is Biblically based. I have also been working on a book "A Christians Guide to Resilience" that will be available soon.
I hope that you have enjoyed this article. I know that it was a little lengthy, but it is something that I am very passionate about. If you have any questions about any of this or if you would like for me to come speak at your church or organization please contact me at: 502-370-0409 or rogergriggsministry@gmail.com.
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