Developin g a Resilient Faith Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8, NLT

The Bible is possibly the most important source for stability – a foundation on which to build a solid faith [Jesus speaking] “Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” -- Matthew 7:24-27, NLT [Paul speaking] “I have laid the foundation like an expert builder” -- 1 Corinthians 3:10, NLT “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another” – 2 Timothy 3:16 MSG

Intimacy with God allows us to find the hidden treasures in Christ and to become strong and resilient in faith “For this is the secret: Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory.” – Colossians 1:27, NLT “God's secret plan… is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:3, NLT “Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth.” – Colossians 2:7, NLT “You are complete through your union with Christ.” – Colossians 2:10, NLT

Don’t just believe in God – believe in things about God, and about how God sees you “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6, NLT “We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love.” – 1 John 4:16, ESV “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” -- Eph 3:19, NLT “God works for the good of those who love him” – Romans 8:28, NIV The ways of the world tell us to use our observations in the physical realm to tell us what God is like. The way of faith is to start with a belief about what God is like (loving, good, faithful, kind, gentle, patient), and use that to interpret what we see in the physical realm.

Develop healthy attitudes and realistic expectations that line up with the Bible Expectations (the Bible mentions both easy and difficult things) Suffering. “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” – Romans 5:3-4, ESV Growth (time/process). “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” – Luke 2:52, NIV Sickness. Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News of Christ. But even though my sickness was revolting to you, you did not reject me and turn me away. – Galatians 4:13-14 Failure Attitudes God is God… I am second. Humility. “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.”– Philippians 2:3, ESV Service. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” -- John 13:14, ESV Thanksgiving. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV Heaven and eternity. “Store your treasures in heaven... Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” – Matthew 6:20-21, NLT

Additional means to support a resilient faith The Body of Christ (particularly small groups) A personal book of remembrance Intellectual support Josh McDowell, "More Than a Carpenter“ C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity“ Lee Strobel, "The Case for Christ“ Ravi Zacharias

Review Bible. Read regularly, think deeply. Intimacy with God. Draw from his well. Faith in God being who he says he is. Look out life differently. Solid expectations and good attitudes. Family of God Remember Intellectual support