Resilience is the capacity to recover from adversity.

The lyrics to an old song can help us understand resilience. It says,
We fall down; we get up.
We fall down; we get up.
We fall down; we get up.
And the saints are just the sinners who fall down and get up.

Don’t let the lyrics fool you. Saying it makes it sound easy. But falling hurts. Sometimes, getting up hurts more. But resilient people find a way.

Harrison Moseby is 26 years old. He has a wife and two kids under the age of two. As a firefighter, he’s one of the noble few who walk deliberately and boldly into adversity to rescue the fallen and help them get back up. The fire he fights today is a very different kind of battle. Over a year ago, Harrison was diagnosed with cancer.

Doctors have done their best, yet sometimes the best medicine has to offer comes at a terrible price. Earlier this year, to remove the cancer, they removed his left arm and part of his shoulder. And still, the cancer persists.
On August 25th, Harrison posted this on social media.

“Since discontinuing chemo Sunday, we’ve been here at St. John’s getting some rest and recovery…Thankfully my blood has remained stable (not requiring any transfusions), and my pain has been getting under control. Also, in the meantime, I have felt unsettled about the idea of going home or hospice, and God calling me to continue this fight by going back to MD Anderson…We’ve been warned by Tulsa that we risk making this trip only to hear the same news again, but because I have fight in me to continue this battle, MDA is willing to give me another look…Just making it to this point is such a blessing and answered prayer…”

He put Scripture with that post.

Philippians 1:28-29 says, “And you will not be afraid of those who are against you. All of this is proof from God that you are being saved and that your enemies will be lost. God has blessed you in ways that serve Christ. He allowed you to believe in Christ. But that is not all. He has also given you the honor of suffering for Christ. Both of these bring glory to God.”

Today, Harrison continues to fight at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Yesterday, while we celebrated Labor Day, he posted,

“We have made it to M.D. Anderson! We are so humbled by all of the firefighters, nurses, friends, and family that lined the halls in support as we left St. John’s on Friday. I’m especially thankful for all of my fellow firefighters that stood watch outside of my room; in 2-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, for 2 weeks straight. Truly a brotherhood like no other…”

That’s resilience. He’s been knocked down, but he gets back up because there’s still fight in him. Part of that fight comes from knowing he’s not alone. He’s surrounded by people who are for him. He’s confident in God, who is with him. He’s become an inspiration for firefighters, friends, and people in Owasso, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and even around the world. He’s an inspiration to me.

Genuine resilience isn’t defined by winning. It’s seen in the battle. It’s not seeking adversity or avoiding conflict. Resilience is the unyielding endurance of an unbreakable spirit. Harrison says it best. On June 23rd, he posted a verse. Philippians 1:20-21.

“My deep desire and hope is that I shall never fail in my duty, but that at all time, and especially right now, I shall be full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.”

And so today, I invite you to pray for Harrison and his family. And when the fight comes to you, be resilient. Remember and be encouraged by the unyielding endurance of Harrison’s unbreakable spirit.