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By Brent Roberts
Guest Columnist

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we see caring for those in need as a divinely-appointed responsibility, part of the Savior’s command to “Love one another; as I have loved you…By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35). 

We minister to those in need and seek to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (Doctrine & Covenants 81:5). 

One of the fundamental keys of caring for those in need is helping others become self-reliant. As we become more self-reliant with the Lord’s help, we are better equipped to help and serve others through difficult times.  

An indispensable aspect of self-reliance is emotional resilience. In a recent discussion about this topic with Church youth, one young woman defined emotional resilience as “the ability to bounce back after a crisis.” 

In The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, we read: “There is a God, and he hath created all things…both things to act and things to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:14). 

If we are less prepared, we might become the “things to be acted upon” in this passage. In an emergency situation, this can cause us to become sick, anxious, and sleepless. With reduced capacity, this can lead to impaired decision-making.

On the other hand, if we are prepared, we can be the “things to act” described in this verse. In other words, we can manage our emotions effectively, enabling us to feel emotion, use our feelings as information, and act upon those feelings. We can also develop strong relationships and coping strategies and draw on principles that build emotional strength. 

Some appropriate coping strategies can include journaling about feelings, establishing and following a routine, taking a break from the news, spending time with family and friends, and pondering, praying and meditating on the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.

Having emotional resilience is not a guarantee that you will never experience pain, disappointment, sadness, or other negative emotions as you navigate the trials of life. But if you have the ability to “bounce back” from trials, you are more likely to be able to withstand, adapt, and get back up after being emotionally knocked down. 

As we build patterns of emotional strength and resilience, God can work miracles in our lives. He can replace darkness and doubt with light and hope. 

Hope, as we learn in the scriptures, “cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:4).

The Easter season is a perfect time to seek and develop this unshakeable hope as we reflect on the glorious Resurrection and Redemption of Jesus Christ. 

Happy Easter!

DR. BRENT ROBERTS is the bishop of the Sandy River Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also assistant provost for Academic Outreach and Dean of Greenwood Library at Longwood University. He can be reached at brentsroberts@hotmail.com.