{"id":53922,"date":"2020-04-17T17:10:05","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T22:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/?p=53922"},"modified":"2025-08-06T12:44:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T17:44:58","slug":"introducing-resolution-overcome-struggles-and-thrive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/introducing-resolution-overcome-struggles-and-thrive\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Resolution: Overcome Struggles and Thrive"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I (Josh) was recently speaking with the youth pastor of a large church. I asked what he thought the number one epidemic is among youth. \u201cLoneliness,\u201d he replied. \u201cI don\u2019t know a kid in my youth group who isn\u2019t struggling with it.\u201d These were Christian kids with mostly Christian parents who loved them, yet somehow they all felt so alone and were hurting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few years ago, I (Ben) was mentoring a Christian student named Eric who was struggling with anger, poor self-image, and pornography. All the while, Eric was attempting to lead Bible studies, share his faith with others, and stop returning to his struggles. He wanted so badly to be free, and to overcome these issues that prevented him from loving others and enjoying life. Eric tried talking to his ministry directors, and memorizing Scripture about why anger and lust are wrong, but things didn\u2019t get better. His faith was having little impact on his day-to-day struggles.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>These are just two of the many stories we have witnessed around the globe in recent years.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even before COVID-19, countless people were experiencing hurts and struggles at devastating rates. Many are struggling to survive, let alone thrive and experience the abundant life Jesus promises. We consistently hear of Christian influencers and leaders making headlines for their mistreatment of others, getting caught up in immoral choices, and struggling to live and lead from a place of wholeness. It\u2019s common to witness our friends, Christian or not, struggling with their self-image, being reactive or defensive in relationships, and coping with stress through escapist behaviors.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even those who hold deep Christian beliefs struggle to live in victory due to their painful life experiences. This, in turn, prevents them from experiencing the thriving life Christ has for them. It also prevents them from inviting others into a vibrant experience with Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Young People Are Struggling<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young people are really struggling as these statistics show:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewsocialtrends.org\/2019\/02\/20\/most-u-s-teens-see-anxiety-and-depression-as-a-major-problem-among-their-peers\/\">70%<\/a> of teens say anxiety and depression are major problems amongst their peers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those ages 16 to 24 are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/education-43711606\">63 times<\/a> more lonely than those over 75 years old.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.impact360institute.org\/articles\/4-percent-gen-z-biblical-worldview\/\">4%<\/a> of Gen Z hold to a biblical worldview.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/McDowell, Josh. The Porn Phenomenon: the Impact of Pornography in the Digital Age. Barna Group, 2016, pg.41\">76%<\/a> of men and women ages 18-24 regularly seek out porn.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suicide is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/suicide.shtml\">second<\/a> leading cause of death among young people.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I (Josh) experienced many of those struggles growing up. I endured an abusive and alcoholic father and a critical mother. And I was raped by a farmhand for seven years; the first time at just six years old. These experiences ultimately led to doubts about God, anger, and fear that I\u2019d never be able to love or be loved. My childhood led me to develop unhealthy patterns that continued for decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I (Ben) also experienced many struggles as a child and teen. My parents were in full-time ministry with a large Christian organization, yet my dad was often angry, distant, and abusing alcohol. As I grew up, I lived in fear of him and struggled to fit in anywhere. By the age of eight, I was riddled with mental health issues, and a sense of worthlessness. Eventually I became addicted to food and porn. I began dealing with suicidal thoughts. I wondered if anyone would care if I ceased to exist. Yet all the while I was attending church, involved in youth groups, and reading my Bible. I suffered in silence and learned to hide what I was going through for fear of what others might say.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the church is not whole and thriving, it will struggle to be relevant and offer the hope of the Gospel to the world around it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019re also asking, \u201cHow does Christianity offer a <\/span>life of wholeness here and now?\u201d These questions directly relate to their hurt and brokenness that need answers.<br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-53965  alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/607\/2020\/04\/Resolution-scaled-e1587084289331.jpg\" alt=\"Resolution\" width=\"677\" height=\"366\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>There Is Great Hope<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical and mental health professionals confirm that much of the dysfunction and disconnectedness we experience in life stems from unaddressed or unresolved relational and emotional hurts. And the Bible confirms this as well. These hurts leave us with unfulfilled God-given longings that we seek to fulfill through unhealthy behaviors. Yet, our struggles aren\u2019t random; they\u2019re signals that when answered, can pave our way towards a thriving life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we experience the fulfillment of our God-given needs and longings (things like acceptance, love, affirmation, safety) by God and others, we start to heal at a root level. Just as negative experiences of unmet longings lead to unwanted behaviors, positive experiences of met longings lead to healing and thriving.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the face of these challenges, there is great hope. Both of us have experienced freedom and healing through biblical, time-tested, and research-supported principles. We have witnessed God use these principles in the lives of tens of thousands of others and developed something we\u2019ve deemed The Wholeness Apologetic\u2013a biblical understanding of how we heal from brokenness, overcome struggles, and return to a life of wholeness. It\u2019s time for these principles to be made accessible to the masses and for the church to see a movement of wholeness. It\u2019s time for a Resolution.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Join The Resolution Movement<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I (Josh) and Resolution Director, Ben Bennett, have started a worldwide movement to address these problems through a combination of neuroscience and the changeless truth of the Bible.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though we couldn\u2019t have foreseen COVID-19 when we began planning the launch of Resolution a few years ago, it is amazing how God sovereignly orchestrated this content. Not only is Resolution relevant to the current state of our culture in 2020, but it is even more relevant in our new normal of sheltering in place, social distancing, and the rise of struggles many are experiencing due to COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through live events, a podcast, YouTube videos, and social\/web presence, youth, parents, and youth leaders are equipped with biblical truth and brain science to overcome struggles and experience a thriving life with Christ and others.<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Will you join the Resolution and help others find hope, healing, and freedom?<\/strong><br \/>\nHere&#8217;s how:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Mark your calendar for the launch of the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/resolutionmovement.buzzsprout.com\/\"><i>Resolution Podcast <\/i><\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on May 4, 2020. Listen, rate, review, and share the podcast.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Check out<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/resolutionmovement.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">resolutionmovement.org<\/a><\/strong> for more info and resources!<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Share the Resolution Movement on social media. Use the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/sh\/onahynoub4l37u3\/AAC5il_63_8XxwHXvhUz4KR2a?dl=0\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Resolution Media Kit<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for images to post about the movement. Use the below sample post descriptions as a guide, with the provided hashtags:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Youth are facing high levels of anxiety, loneliness, and shame.\u00a0 The @ResolutionMovement combines biblical truth and brain science to help them find freedom! #resolutionmovement #struggles #teen #youthministry<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> I&#8217;m excited to be part of the @ResolutionMovement launching 5\/4 with @benvbennett and @joshdmcdowell. Check it out! <\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resolutionmovement.buzzsprout.com<br \/>\n#resolutionmovement #struggles #teen #youthministry<\/span><br \/>\nOur struggles aren\u2019t random; they\u2019re signals that, when answered, can pave our way towards a thriving life.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> @resolutionmovement <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">#resolutionmovement #struggles #teen #youthministry<\/span><br \/>\nWe are facing a global epidemic. Many are hurting, lonely, and struggling, but not finding the biblical answers available to them.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> @resolutionmovement #resolutionmovement #struggles #teen\u00a0 #youthministry<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Mark your calendar for the world launch of the <strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/resolutionmovement.org\/#podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Resolution Podcast<\/a><\/em><\/strong> on May 4, 2020. Invite your friends to listen in!<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I (Josh) was recently speaking with the youth pastor of a large church. I asked what he thought the number one epidemic is among youth. \u201cLoneliness,\u201d he replied. \u201cI don\u2019t know a kid in my youth group who isn\u2019t struggling with it.\u201d These were Christian kids with mostly Christian parents who loved them, yet somehow [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23327,"featured_media":53965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[86],"tags":[845,916,917,851,218],"translator":[],"blog-author":[71],"class_list":["post-53922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-moral-issues","tag-healing","tag-hurt","tag-loss","tag-mental-health","tag-resolution","blog-author-ben-bennett"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/607\/2020\/04\/Resolution-scaled-e1587084289331.jpg","meta_box":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23327"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53922"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":92807,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53922\/revisions\/92807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53922"},{"taxonomy":"translator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/translator?post=53922"},{"taxonomy":"blog-author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-author?post=53922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}