The Word in the Wings
The Word in the Wings > Bouncing Back
Bouncing Back
By: Jessica Noonan
As Christians, we know that following Jesus doesn’t make us immune to pain, sorrow, loss, or hardship. Scripture is full of stories of struggle, but also of perseverance, faith, and surrender. Jesus never promised that life on this side of heaven would be easy; in fact, He said the opposite. John 16:33 reminds us: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (NLT). Yes! Jesus has overcome the world. What incredible, life-changing news.
But what about us? What do we do when suffering comes? How do we process the pain and find the strength to keep going? Suffering is an unavoidable part of the Christian walk, whether we like it or not. Often, we look for ways to comfort ourselves, to numb the pain. We shop, scroll our phones, or emotionally eat. But these are only temporary fixes, like a band-aid on a deep cut. The real healing doesn’t come from the band-aid; it comes from the body’s natural resilience. White blood cells fight infection, new skin grows, and slowly, the wound heals. It may take time, but the body knows exactly what to do.
"but take heart, because I have overcome the world" John 16:33b
Oxford defines resiliency as “the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties” and “the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.” If our physical bodies are designed to heal, how does our spirit heal? How do we emotionally recover from heartbreak? Is it just time, or are there steps we need to take to come out stronger, wiser, and more grounded in our faith?
I like to think of spiritual resilience as learning to trust God and His promises in the midst of suffering, allowing Him to grow our character and deepen our faith. It’s about strengthening our “spiritual muscles,” so that when hardship comes, we go to God first; not to the temporary comforts of the world.
This process mirrors the life of a dancer. A dancer trains day after day, strengthening her muscles until her body begins to respond almost effortlessly. She works at the barre, stretches, disciplines herself, and perfects her technique. Over time, movements that were once difficult become natural. Likewise, our spiritual muscles grow through consistent practice: reading the Bible, praying, serving, repenting, humbling ourselves, and loving others as God loves. The more we train, the closer we draw to Him, and the more our hearts surrender.
"Even when we feel empty, he fills us with hope..."
When a dancer has rehearsed choreography over and over, the music takes over and the body moves as it was trained. In the same way, the Holy Spirit works within us as we spend time with God, renewing us again and again. Even when we feel empty, He fills us with hope, joy, and resurrection power; equipping us to face the next challenge and bounce back stronger.
Isaiah 41:10 reminds us:
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
How are you strengthening your spiritual resilience? How do you overcome adversity or tragedy? Everyone’s journey looks different, and we would love to hear your stories. Join us on February 28th at 3pm to experience the art of dance and discover how movement can help us process difficulty, find strength, and learn to “bounce back” through life’s challenges.
