**If you have influence over youth such as a parent, teacher, school counselor, or a youth minister this blog entry is for you.**
"Train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart."
Proverbs 22:6
There are five things that I usually teach the youth when I speak to them about being resilient. Well, there are six because I usually have to explain what resilience is.
Definition of resilience: The ability to bounce back from a challenge or adversity. This ability is an inner resource that gives you the strength to face the challenge and overcome it no matter what it is.
1. Know that adversities or challenges will happen: There will be days when the sun is shining and everything is smooth sailing. However, there are also other days that will challenge who they are, what they want to be, and where they want to go. It is inevitable!
Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you will tribulation. But, take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
2. Self Talk: This isn't a crazy phenomenon; we all do it! Imagine that your about to start a race and your at the starting line. Usually someone who wants to defeat this challenge and everyone else in that race is talking to themselves in their heads saying, "I can do this! I will defeat and crush this event. It is important that they believe in themselves enough to tell themselves that "THEY CAN DO IT!"
Along with self talk when I'm talking to youth groups at a church (and I usually am) I let them know that it is more important for them to being talking to God during a challenge. I always remind them of this verse: "And that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hand" (1 Samuel 17:47). Just as David wanted to demonstrate to everyone that his God gives victory to His children in overwhelming odds we as His children should do the same.
3. Know your strengths: Everyone has a strength and skills that they are either born with or just learned that strength through building it up. In many cases some are born with many strengths, but in either case it is important to discover those strengths and sharpen them.
The Bible says, "If the ax is dull and it's edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success" (Ecclesiastes 10:10).
4. Set Goals: Goal setting helps our youth to stay focused on what they are striving for rather than their current situation. When goal setting there should be measurable, attainable, and realistic goals. Hope is also restored even more when there has been success in achieving goals.
The Bible says, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
5. Maintain Good Relationships: Good relationships should start with God, then family, and finally with friends. Whether our youth know it or not (adults too) they need relationships for love and encouragement. It is difficult to get through any adversity or challenge alone. We should first let our youth know that God loves them with an Agape Love; unconditional. Earthly relationships are just as important as well because they offer someone to talk to physically, offer encouragement, and often times Godly advice.
The Bible says, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (Proverbs 13:20). "And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
**I usually end with a verses that reminds them (us) that adversity and challenges are helpful for us. "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes" (Psalm 119:71). "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4).
