Faith as the Cornerstone of Resilience in Overwhelming Times

Facing the Heaviness of Today’s World

Lately, it feels like every day arrives with a new headline about tragedy or conflict. There are natural disasters, fires, and floods taking lives. There’s uncertainty in the economy and real anxiety about where things are heading. In conversations at church, in business circles, and with close friends, I keep hearing that same sense of collective heaviness. People share stories of loss, deep worry, strained relationships, and the continuous feeling that the ground is shifting beneath our feet.

This isn’t just the background noise of modern life—it’s right in the middle of everything we do, especially if you’re running a business and responsible for a team or family. It’s a myth that anyone navigates these seasons untouched. At times like this, resilience isn't just a nice word, it becomes a daily lifeline, not only for us, but for everyone who’s counting on us.

There’s no instruction manual for living or leading through times when suffering and anxiety seem universal. Even in “golden eras,” loss can strike unexpectedly. A business closes. Someone close to us is gone. Even for those who appear to have everything, identity and belonging can vanish in an instant. When the usual sources of stability evaporate, we’re left with what runs deeper than our titles or bank accounts.

Deconstructing Resilience: Faith, Hope, and Spiritual Capital

When all the external trappings are gone—possessions, company, position, family—what remains is the quality of your faith. Business owners often tie part of their self-worth straight to their roles or achievements. Losing those is not just a matter of finances or public image, it shakes the foundation of who we are. Paul likes to call out this tendency honestly: the grief that shows up when a business disappears isn’t just about loss of livelihood, it’s the loss of identity. The thing most of us clutch tightly in those moments is faith.

Here’s the truth from years of watching people navigate the hardest seasons: processes, books, methods, or even risk management plans can’t promise victory or peace. Doing everything right does not prevent loss. Failure and suffering are unwelcome visitors that come on their own schedule. When the loss is total, faith stands as the sole pillar left—a direct connection between you and God that endures when nothing else does.

Faith, in Paul’s words, is not always comfortable. It doesn’t spare us from loneliness or despair. It isn’t about being “content” in the face of devastation. It’s about having hope in the midst of it—knowing there’s something more than this moment. Even when you don’t see the bigger picture or like what’s happening, faith gives permission to grieve and question, all while maintaining hope for what lies ahead. Without faith and hope, finding love and purpose in life becomes nearly impossible.

Making Space for Spiritual Capital: The Gift of Awareness and Intentional Practice

It’s tempting to hear all this and decide spiritual capital sounds “soft” or secondary to business productivity. That couldn’t be further from the truth—it’s some of the hardest work you’ll ever face. There’s no checklist or simple plan to “fix” the soul. This kind of growth happens in the trenches, over years, and often with setbacks along the way.

The first step, as Paul describes, is awareness—a gift in itself. Recognizing something is missing, even if you can barely name it, is a signal to pause. For anyone wondering where to start, Paul often brings up the Wheel of Life. It’s a tool to get a snapshot of your current state. Draw a wheel, give a score to each key spoke (business, fitness, relationships, spiritual life), and notice where the bumps are. Most people find their spiritual spoke needs the most attention—and unlike the other areas, you can’t just “do more” to raise the score. You have to slow down and become present.

The practical work is simple, but far from easy. It’s making the decision to take fifteen minutes and step outside—walk the path behind your office, sit in quiet, pray, or just let yourself not think about anything. Paul often reminds his clients: it takes courage to create this margin for yourself. The business will still be there; the emails and deadlines will wait. Everything around you improves when you give yourself space for spiritual growth—your perspective changes, and those around you notice a difference.

This pause might not give immediate answers. Sometimes, it stirs up a conviction to reconnect with an old friend or join a group you’ve avoided. Other times, you simply need to rest and listen for what your heart has been trying to tell you. God doesn’t hide instructions for growth—He often repeats them until we finally hear. The courage to accept awareness and actually act on it is where transformation begins.

The Lasting Value of Spiritual Depth for Owners and Leaders

Intentional spiritual growth isn’t just for those who gravitate toward poetry or philosophy—it’s essential for business owners burdened with real-world responsibilities and constant decision-making. When the world is noisy and the stakes feel crushing, spiritual capital is the strength that holds every other kind of capital together. Intellectual ability, social networks, and financial success rise and fall, but without a rooted sense of faith, they’ll never be enough. With spiritual capital, you develop resilience that isn’t shaken by loss or change, and wisdom that sustains you through whatever comes next. Give yourself this gift, not just for your sake, but for your family, your business, and your legacy—one honest pause at a time.