WE HAVE TO BE RESILIENT

World news were so quick in saying that a new COVID-19 variant was detected in South Africa and the subsequent worldwide reaction of banning passage to our people, this made me extremely sad. South Africa does not need this ban, not at this time. We have suffered more than their share these past months. Power and water shortages, government corruption, insurrection and severe economic crisis from the pandemic have dealt heavy blows to the people. Just when it appeared a path forward was emerging, this Omicron variant was detected by their epidemiologists. Then the world shut us out.

South Africa is a beautiful place, rich in natural resources. South African surgeons performed the world's first heart transplant. From music, to technology and sports, South Africa has people who have contributed at world class levels. Our biggest stain was the apartheid years, earning for it a mantle of world pariah. Through it all we have remained a resilient nation. We will survive.

The whole world is in crisis these days - whether it is dealing with shortages of items at the store, inflation driving up the petrol price, or just the news of rage in the streets or another potential international crisis. My conversations with people reveal increases of anxiety, depression and other emotional stress points. Make no mistake, this is not just going to go away quickly, we are in for a prolonged period of crisis. We are being forced to cope. We must learn to manage our way forward.

We would all benefit from a study of the virtue of resilience. Resilience is what helps us move through hardship and suffering to become better. Resilience is what helps us bounce back from criticism, mistakes and attacks meant to discourage and even destroy our lives. Resilience is what helps us determine to rehabilitate ourselves after painful injury. Resilience is what helps us defeat an addiction, every single day. None of us escape pain, suffering or difficult periods. All of us can overcome our fear, endure loss and cope with pain. We can develop strength to manage whatever life throws at us if we learn to develop the virtue of resilience.

Not a lot is written about resilience. You can find it scattered throughout philosophy, poetry and spiritual writings. You can read the examples of those who have come back from failure - rebuilding a life and moving forward. We must assemble a picture of resilience from many sources. The Bible is the one source that connects resilience to a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.

Here is the key to building resilience through a trusting relationship with God. Christ meant it when He said:

"Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light". (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus frees people from all these burdens. A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into productivity and purpose.