A Year of Sundays: The Eleventh Sunday (3/16/25)

This week was dominated by the forecast of an impending storm. The news was filled with warnings, preparations, and predictions of potential devastation. As I watched the updates, I couldn’t help but ponder the different types of storms that can arise in life—not just the meteorological kind, but the emotional, psychological, and even interpersonal ones that can strike without warning.

One particularly unsettling thought came to mind as I revisited Martha Stout’s The Sociopath Next Door. Stout (2005) reveals that “1 in 25 ordinary Americans secretly has no conscience and can do anything at all without feeling guilty” (p. 12). This statistic is a storm of its own, a reminder that life can present us with challenges that are as unpredictable as they are unsettling. It’s a sobering realization, but also a call to action. How can we prepare ourselves for such storms?

The answer, I believe, lies in resilience. Resilience is more than just bouncing back from adversity; it’s a continuous bulwark against the many storms life can throw our way. In The Resilience Factor: 7 Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life’s Hurdles, Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatté (2002) outline seven key abilities that contribute to resilience: emotional regulation, impulse control, empathy, optimism, causal analysis, self-efficacy, and reaching out (p. 45). These skills are like tools in a survival kit, equipping us to face challenges with strength and grace.

This week, I’ve been reflecting on how to strengthen these abilities within myself. Emotional regulation helps me stay calm in the face of chaos. Impulse control allows me to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Empathy connects me to others, even in difficult moments. Optimism reminds me that storms eventually pass. Causal analysis helps me understand the root of challenges, while self-efficacy gives me the confidence to tackle them. And reaching out ensures I don’t face them alone.

On this eleventh Sunday of 2025, I recommend that we all take steps to prepare for life’s storms by developing our resilience. Even if the storm never comes, the process of building these skills will leave us stronger, more grounded, and better equipped to handle whatever life brings.

Here’s to building our resilience muscles—and to facing life’s storms with courage and preparedness.

References

Reivich, K., & Shatté, A. (2002). The resilience factor: 7 keys to finding your inner strength and overcoming life’s hurdles. Broadway Books.

Stout, M. (2005). The sociopath next door. Broadway Books.