Our series on resilience begins and ends with a spiritual response. Here are four ways we can develop spiritual affections:

1. Genesis 1-2 describes our good and benevolent Creator. We must always start with God’s love. John 3:16, is the most cherished Bible verse because it begins with God’s love for the world He created.

2. When sin entered the world, it spread like a virus to all. Matthew’s Gospel quotes John the Baptist’s first word as “repent.” To repent is to admit we are stained by sin and we must make a U-turn and go in a new direction. Repentance is not a one-and-done thing. To develop our affections for God is a constant and vigilant realignment with the Lord.

3. Our Lord’s Prayer acknowledges not only are we forgiven but we must forgive others, too. A lack of forgiveness hinders resilience. Bitterness keeps us stuck in anger, depression, isolation and selfpity. It is toxic.

4. Generosity builds resilience. Being strong means learning to give to God and to others. Generosity must be learned. “Jesus, the Generous” gave us Himself. He is our helper, teacher, comforter, counselor, friend and advocate. He takes our anxiety and fear and gives us peace. The Holy Spirit is the empowering agent for a follower of Jesus.