This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author John Eldredge about his new book "Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times." John is a bestselling author and counselor. He is also president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God and recover their own hearts in God’s love. John and his wife, Stasi, live near Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Key Points from Our Conversation:
- Most people don't think of going through a pandemic as trauma, but it is. It's a global trauma that is triggering past unaddressed personal traumas.
- When you are facing a stressful time, you have to tap into your reserves. But at some point, you have to replenish those reserves. We need to address our soul needs so we can have strength for the next challenge.
- Going through trauma doesn't make you tougher for the next trauma; it sensitizes you. When a past trauma is triggered, it will likely show up first emotionally. You may notice different feelings and wonder why they're happening. The good news is acknowledging those feelings moves us toward healing. Don't be discouraged. Practice awareness, listen to your heart, and work through it.
- Emotions are the voice of your heart - welcome them. Suppressing emotions is exhausting. If you want to live a freer life, let them out.
- Practical soul care looks like moving your body, going outside, and getting off your phone and away from the news. If you are paralyzed by anxiety or numb to your emotions, seek professional care to help you process them in a healthy way.
- Chronic disappointments accumulate grief. Name and write down your disappointments and recognize them as losses. Acknowledge that those things matter. It doesn't have to be a long process.
- God is able to give our souls supernatural strength and resilience and it's readily available. The soul is healed through union with God. All resilience, well-being, perspective, and joy comes through our union with Jesus.
- There are 2 ways to chase resilience – training programs or cultivating union with Jesus and allowing Him to heal you. If you create the space, God will meet you there. One of the simplest things a human soul can do is love God.
- There are 3 layers of our being - the shallows, the midlands, and the depths. Most of us live in the shallows which come with a myriad of distractions throughout our day. The midlands are where your hopes, dreams, longings, and heartaches are. The depth is where love dwells and where God lives. If you want to commune with Him, you have to ignore the distractions of the shallow and surrender to Him the midlands. Find a place of love in your heart. We don’t have to look far to find the presence of God.
- When we’re depleted, we’re vulnerable to our enemy. People are giving up on God, but that’s not you. Your enemy is trying to get you to deconstruct. Instead of pulling away from God move toward Him. He is the only safe place in a stormy world.
Resources Mentioned:
Ep. 63: Get Your Life Back with John Eldredge
Talk Therapy: Process & Pray Through 2020
American Association of Christian Counselors
One Minute Pause app
Let’s Get Real Practical:
Ask these questions and reflect:
What disappointments have I experienced through this pandemic?
What was lost in the last few years?
Have you addressed the loss or numbed it?
God, what do You want to redeem?
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