No one is immune to disappointments in life. A dashed dream. The loss of a perfect job. A hurtful break-up from the man you thought was The One. A missed opportunity. An unfortunate diagnosis. Another negative pregnancy test. When our best-laid plans fall apart, it’s easy for our heart to fall apart with them.

How do we remain resilient when discouragement looms at the door? The grittiness to thrive in difficult circumstances is a learned skill and can be developed over time. Here are a few simple principles you can apply today to help you begin to bounce back in the midst of challenges or disappointments.

Grieve the Loss. Don’t ignore your pain; rather, allow yourself to recognize and feel the emotions. The Bible reminds us that the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. It’s okay to be sad that your hopes were dashed, but don’t stay there.  Allow yourself to feel the pain, then move forward.

Give Thanks. In the midst of every difficulty, there is potential for gratitude. You may need to look long and hard, but you can find something to be glad about. Perhaps it is someone you met, or something you learned, or something good that happened in the midst of the tragedy. There is always hope, but you have to be looking for it. The apostle Paul wrote, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thes 5:18). Perhaps the one consistent truth for which we can always give thanks is the fact that God never leaves us or forsakes us. He is with us in our pain.

Go Forward. “Do the next thing” is a famous bit of advice from author Elisabeth Elliot. On her radio program, Gateway to Joy, she often quoted the following poem to help people overcome stress and grief.

              Fear not tomorrows, child of the King.

                  Trust them with Jesus; do the next thing.

                  Do it immediately, do it with prayer,

                  Do it reliantly, casting all care,

Do it with reverence, tracing His hand

                  Who placed it before thee with earnest command.

                  Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ’neath His wing,

                  Leave all results, do the next thing.

As a young wife and mother, Elisabeth lost her husband when he was brutally killed during a missionary journey in South America. She later went back and ministered to the very people who took her husband’s life, bringing them the good news of Christ’s love.

What about you? Where can you take a step forward? Ask the Lord to guide you in doing the next right thing. Stay prayerful – eyes on Him – seeking His good plan for your life.

For more tips on resilience, check out my book, Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive.