The Heat of Preparation: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Last year, my husband Mike and I faced a significant health challenge when he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Just two months later, I found a tick on myself and a severe bull's-eye rash, a clear sign of Lyme disease. After a 21-day course of doxycycline, we sought further medical advice from a holistic doctor who recommended an infrared sauna. We purchased one for our home, and we use the sauna an average of five times a week, often at temperatures reaching 150 degrees. While this is a wonderful comfort in the winter, what about the summer?

With Pennsylvania temperatures set to hit 100 degrees tomorrow, I've realized that all our time sweating out spirochetes and other toxins has made us incredibly resilient to the heat (and dormant for Lyme)! Mike, who just turned 75 years young, continues to build his famous rock walls and move boulders like it's nobody's business. I still manage my 7-10 mile daily walks with the Blue Merle girls and Goliath. We can handle the heat because we regularly expose ourselves to it.

Watching the events unfold in Butler, PA, this past week, I was struck by the crowd's reaction to the assassin's shots. Rather than panic, the crowd remained noticeably still, allowing those nearest to the injured to call for help and clear the way for the President's safe exit. It wasn't a scene of chaos; it was a testament to calmness under pressure.

In my doctoral study on leadership and followership, I found that many interviewees didn't view a failed credit union merger as a crisis because they had endured much worse: the loss of a sibling, a mother with mental illness, or a previous layoff. They were prepared for the heat, for the bullets flying, and for those unexpected calls from the police or doctors because they had been tried and tested.

Reflecting on the precious man who was murdered in Butler, Corey Comperatore (and the two who were critically injured), I am reminded of the strength to face death that comes from faith in God. Hebrews 9:27 tells us, "It is appointed unto men once to die," and knowing what happens one minute later can provide incredible peace, joy, and hopefulness. I highly recommend Erwin Lutzer's book One Minute After You Die for more on this.

As you can tell, I have a lot on my mind during this hot time of the year, especially in light of the unimaginable events of this past week. While shuffling through papers on my desk, I found something truly tremendous: the August/September 2008 edition of Success magazine. This excellent write-up came out one month before my father, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, immigrated to Heaven. And guess who was on the cover! The tears and gratitude I felt upon rediscovering this, in light of all that happened, were profound.

I hope this reflection provides some perspective and encouragement. Stay strong, stay prepared, and remember that resilience is often built through the heat of preparation.