Resilient

What's "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times" about?

• Theme of Resilience: The book focuses on building resilience in the face of modern life's challenges, particularly after the global trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Spiritual Guidance: John Eldredge offers spiritual guidance to help readers restore their weary souls by drawing on Christian teachings and practices.
• Practical Tools: It provides practical tools and prayers to strengthen the heart and soul, emphasizing the importance of a deep connection with God.
• End Times Context: The book also discusses the concept of living through the end times, urging readers to prepare their hearts and souls for these trials.

Why should I read "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times"?

• Addressing Modern Challenges: It addresses the unique challenges of living in today's fast-paced, often overwhelming world, offering a path to peace and resilience.
• Spiritual Renewal: The book provides a framework for spiritual renewal, helping readers reconnect with their faith and find strength in God.
• Practical Advice: Eldredge offers practical advice and exercises that can be easily incorporated into daily life to build resilience.
• Hope and Encouragement: It offers hope and encouragement, reminding readers of the promise of God's presence and the ultimate restoration of all things.

What are the key takeaways of "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times"?

• Resilience is Essential: Building resilience is crucial for navigating the challenges of modern life and maintaining spiritual health.
• Connection with God: A deep, personal connection with God is the foundation of true resilience and peace.
• Supernatural Graces: The book emphasizes the importance of tapping into supernatural graces, such as God's glory and the river of life, for strength and renewal.
• Preparation for End Times: Readers are encouraged to prepare their hearts and souls for the trials of the end times, maintaining faith and hope in God's promises.

How does John Eldredge suggest we build resilience in "Resilient"?

• Daily Practices: Eldredge suggests incorporating daily practices such as prayer, worship, and benevolent detachment to build resilience.
• Supernatural Graces: He emphasizes the importance of receiving supernatural graces like God's glory and the river of life to strengthen the soul.
• Attachment to God: Developing a deep attachment to God, akin to a new mother-child bond, is crucial for emotional and spiritual resilience.
• Mental and Emotional Control: The book advises controlling speculation and emotions, focusing on positive self-talk and scripture to maintain mental resilience.

What is the "River of Life" concept in "Resilient"?

• Source of Renewal: The "River of Life" is a metaphor for the life-giving presence of God that flows within believers, offering renewal and strength.
• Spiritual Nourishment: It represents the spiritual nourishment and vitality that comes from a deep connection with God.
• Prayer for the River: Eldredge encourages readers to pray for the river of life to flow within them, restoring and healing their souls.
• Continuous Flow: The concept emphasizes that God's life and strength are always available, and believers simply need to tap into it.

How does "Resilient" address the concept of the end times?

• Urgency and Preparation: Eldredge discusses the urgency of preparing for the end times, as described in Christian scripture, and the trials that may come.
• Strength and Endurance: The book emphasizes the need for strength and endurance to withstand these trials and remain faithful.
• Avoiding Deception: Readers are warned about the potential for deception and the importance of staying true to their faith.
• Hope in Restoration: Despite the challenges, the book offers hope in the promise of the restoration of all things through Christ's return.

What role does "attachment to God" play in building resilience according to "Resilient"?

• Foundation of Resilience: Attachment to God is presented as the foundation of true resilience, providing emotional and spiritual security.
• Healing Mother-Need: The book suggests that God can fulfill the primal need for mother-love, offering comfort and assurance of abundance.
• New Attachment: Salvation is described as forming a new attachment with God, transforming identity and character.
• Continuous Connection: Maintaining a continuous, loving connection with God helps believers draw strength and resilience from Him.

What are the "supernatural graces" mentioned in "Resilient"?

• God's Glory: One of the supernatural graces is God's glory, which fills believers with life-sustaining power and resilience.
• Eden Glory: The book describes "Eden Glory" as the regenerative power of God that protects against desolation and renews the soul.
• Strength That Prevails: Another grace is the "strength that prevails," a combative strength to overcome trials and remain faithful.
• River of Life: The "River of Life" is a continuous flow of God's presence and strength, available to believers for renewal and healing.

How does "Resilient" suggest we handle the longing for life to be good again?

• Acknowledge the Longing: Eldredge advises acknowledging the deep longing for life to be good again, rather than dismissing or shaming it.
• Turn to God: The book encourages turning this longing toward God, loving Him in the midst of it, and seeking fulfillment in His promises.
• Avoid False Comforts: Readers are warned against seeking relief in false comforts or counterfeit Edens, which ultimately disappoint.
• Hope in Restoration: The longing is reframed as a yearning for the ultimate restoration of all things, which will be fulfilled in God's kingdom.

What are some of the best quotes from "Resilient" and what do they mean?

• "The longing for things to be good again is one of the deepest yearnings of the human heart." This quote highlights the universal desire for restoration and peace, which the book addresses through spiritual resilience.
• "We need the supernatural graces to guard our hearts against both Desolation and the riptide pull to draw away from God." It emphasizes the importance of divine strength and protection in maintaining faith and resilience.
• "The story of God has been, is now, and always will be the story of the world." This quote reassures readers that despite current chaos, God's narrative remains central and unchanging.
• "We must, we must, we must choose single-heartedness, where we desire Jesus above everything else." It calls for a wholehearted commitment to God as the source of true resilience and fulfillment.

How does "Resilient" address the issue of mental and emotional resilience?

• Mental Control: The book advises taking control of one's thought life, avoiding speculation, and focusing on positive self-talk and scripture.
• Emotional Bridle: Emotional resilience involves acknowledging emotions but not letting them drive decisions or undermine faith.
• Attachment Security: Emotional fortitude is rooted in the security of attachment to God, providing a stable base for resilience.
• Daily Practices: Regular practices like prayer, worship, and benevolent detachment help build mental and emotional resilience.

What is the significance of "Remember Lot's wife" in "Resilient"?

• Warning Against Looking Back: The phrase serves as a warning against turning back to old comforts or divided allegiances in times of trial.
• Test of Allegiance: It highlights the importance of maintaining a single-hearted allegiance to God, especially when tempted to seek relief elsewhere.
• Fear of Loss: The story of Lot's wife illustrates the fear of losing one's life and the danger of clinging to worldly securities.
• Call to Single-Heartedness: Eldredge uses this biblical reference to urge readers to choose God above all else, ensuring resilience and faithfulness.