Well, it’s officially cold and flu season! As we head into this time of year, I’m always intrigued by the two common approaches people take to stay healthy.
Approach One: Avoiding Germs
The first approach? Avoidance. People in this group might limit who they see, stick close to home, and stock up on sanitizer, disinfectants, and masks. At the grocery store, you may notice these "germ-avoiders" wiping down carts or keeping a good distance from others. They’re determined to keep those germs away, putting a lot of focus on external defenses.
Approach Two: Strengthening Immunity
Then, there are those who opt to build up their own defenses. These folks are more likely to visit the local health food store for elderberry syrup, echinacea, Vitamin C, and zinc. They may prioritize whole foods, exercise, fresh air, and sunshine—nurturing a resilient immune system by strengthening themselves from the inside out.
Observing these two approaches got me thinking: they actually remind me a lot of how we approach life’s hardships.
Avoidance vs. Resilience in Life
When life gets tough, many of us take a similar "avoidance" approach. We might keep people at arm's length or try to control things like finances or our environment to prevent hardship. This approach aims to control things outside ourselves.
On the other hand, some people work on building resilience. Instead of trying to dodge challenges, they put effort into becoming stronger, more grounded, and more emotionally resilient, ready to face whatever comes.
The truth is, whichever approach you take, life’s challenges will come. Even Jesus reminded us, “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33). But in my experience, it’s much more effective to invest time, energy, and focus into building inner resilience—whether for our immune systems or our emotional health.
Building Emotional Resilience Through Relationships
One of my favorite ways to strengthen my emotional resilience is through relationships. A strong community of people who know, see, and encourage you can make a world of difference. It’s like this: when the winds of life blow, having close connections keeps us anchored.
So, ask yourself: Have you been more of an avoider? Trying to keep hardships at bay by disconnecting from others, or maybe even from your own feelings? Are you constantly managing your hardships instead of fully experiencing life and relationships?
Here’s the truth: hiding and disconnecting might help you survive, but it won’t help you thrive. You were created for community! In supportive relationships, we can truly become who we were meant to be. And in that community, we learn life-giving, joy-sharing skills that build resilience.
You can stay strong in this season and the coming seasons by boosting immunity and resilience.
Join the Unshakable Life Community
If you’re looking for that kind of connection and growth, I invite you to join us in the Unshakable Life Community. Here, we learn and practice relational and personal growth skills that help us face life’s inevitable hardships with strength and confidence. Instead of hiding, this is an invitation to step into a community that will keep you connected and grounded through every season.
Ready to take a different approach to life? Join the Unshakable Life Community, and find the support and resilience you need to thrive. [Click here for more information.]
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