Patience.. Resilience.. Balance

Imagine my surprise as I wandered around the campground store and found this little bracelet.    The bracelet in itself was super cute, but that wasn’t what caught my eye.   The wording on the card it was attached to was what drew me in.   The word that really stopped me in my tracks was “balance”.    But when I saw the two words above it, I was taken aback and really started thinking.   What were those three words?   Patience, Resilience, Balance.

You know how there are times when you just want God to drop further information or directives in your lap?   Well, for me, this seemed like one of those times.   Having dealt with dizziness day in and day out for six years now, I am anything but patient, resilient, or balanced.   Now, I know that this “balance” wasn’t likely referencing physical balance, but rather a balance in life, yet I couldn’t help but wonder if this small simple card wasn’t relaying a very deep message to me.

Patience, resilience and balance are highly valued personal attributes that are crucial for overall well-being, so it’s no wonder we see similar terms in the Bible.  They are often seen as interconnected virtues that help people manage the complexities and stresses of life.

Patience is the capacity to endure difficult circumstances, delays, or frustration without becoming agitated or acting impulsively.  It is Spirit-enabled and waits on God, trusts His timing, and responds to others with grace.   How are you doing with that?   Me?   Not so great.  But maybe if I’d take the time to listen to God and believe that He is working even when I can’t see it, this patience would develop and reduce some of the stress that seems to snowball.   ‘Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.’  Psalm 37:7

Patience is Spirit-enabled and waits on God, trusts His timing, and responds to others with grace.

What about resilience?   We don’t really see that word in Scripture, but we do see the words endurance and perseverance which is pretty much the same thing.  Perseverance, given by the Spirit, allows us to adapt to difficult or challenging life experiences while holding fast to God.   It keeps us clinging to Him even in suffering because we believe that He will sustain us, transform us, and bring purpose and good out of any trial.    Scripture even reminds us of this: “We also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5)

Perseverance keeps us clinging to Him even in suffering because we believe that He will sustain us, transform us, and bring purpose and good out of any trial.

And finally, we approach balance.   Balance actually does refer to equilibrium.   This is necessary for keeping our bodies upright and moving.   So, when we speak about balance in life, we mean that we are living a God ordered life; walking in His wisdom and refusing the extremes of self-reliance, fear, or frantic surviving.   Oooooof!   When I think about that, I realize that it’s may not be just my vestibular system that is out of equilibrium, but perhaps my walk with God.   And if that’s not in alignment, nothing will be.

So, whether or not God was sending me a message with this cute little bracelet, I do not know.   But I do know there’s a message in there.   One that’s timely and appropriate for me… and maybe for you too.

THINK ABOUT IT

Are there areas of your life that feel out of balance because you're trying to handle them on your own strength instead of inviting God into them?

If God is using this season to shape patience, endurance, or balance in you, what might He be preparing your heart for?