CWW Week 36 - Resilience - Day 1
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Devotional: Soaring Through the Storm — A Reflection on Resilience
Scripture:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Life doesn’t always go as planned. One day we’re sailing along with the wind in our sails, and the next, a storm hits out of nowhere. We lose a job, a relationship falls apart, or our health takes a turn. When those storms come — and they will — the question isn’t if we’ll struggle, but how we’ll respond. That’s where resilience comes in.
In Isaiah 40, the prophet is speaking to a weary people. Israel had experienced exile, loss, and deep discouragement. They were tired — physically, emotionally, spiritually. God didn’t offer them a quick fix or an easy way out. Instead, He gave them something far more valuable: a promise of renewed strength for those who put their hope in Him.
The word “hope” here is more than just wishful thinking. It’s about actively waiting on God — trusting His timing, His character, and His promises, even when we don’t understand what’s going on around us. It’s a posture of expectation, grounded in faith.
And here’s the beautiful part: when we hope in the Lord, we don’t just hang on — we rise.
Isaiah says we will soar on wings like eagles.
Think about that imagery for a moment. Eagles don’t flap frantically like smaller birds. They catch the wind and let it carry them. When we’re resilient in faith, we’re not striving in our own strength — we’re relying on God’s Spirit to lift us.
But the verse doesn’t stop with soaring. It continues:
“They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This is important. Not every day feels like soaring. Some days it’s a run — a full-on sprint through challenges. Other days it’s a walk — slow, steady, one foot in front of the other. And sometimes, just not fainting feels like a win.
God meets us in every pace of life. Whether we’re soaring, running, or walking, His strength sustains us. Resilience doesn’t mean we’re unaffected by life’s challenges. It means we keep going — because we know who holds us.
Practical Resilience
In everyday Aussie life, resilience might look like getting out of bed when your heart’s heavy. It could be choosing to forgive when you’d rather hold a grudge. It might be continuing to serve, give, or love — even when you feel empty.
Resilience isn’t loud. It’s often quiet, steady, and built through time in God’s presence. If we want to live out Isaiah 40:31, we need to keep returning to the source of strength — the Lord Himself.
We weren’t made to carry everything alone. When we lean on God, He lifts us higher than we could ever reach on our own.
Reflection Questions
- Where in your life do you feel weary or close to giving up?
Be honest with God about your struggles — He’s not afraid of them. - What does it look like for you to “hope in the Lord” in your current season?
Are you actively waiting on Him, or relying on your own strength? - Are you in a season of soaring, running, or walking?
How can you invite God’s strength into that specific pace of life?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Papa God,
Thank You for being my strength when I have none. You see when I’m tired, discouraged, and overwhelmed, and You promise to renew me when I place my hope in You. Help me to trust You deeply — not just when things are easy, but especially in the middle of storms. Teach me how to soar on Your wind, to run with endurance, and to walk without giving up. Give me the kind of resilience that isn’t rooted in my willpower, but in Your power. Thank You for carrying me through. I place my hope in You again today.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Have a great day today with Jesus.
Graham Hood.
