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Christian Counseling Connection 25
encourage each other through the “one another’s” of the New
Testament, building basic trust in God and the goodness of
people, and teaching communication skills. Helping “interpret”
the meaning of suffering together helps create a greater under-
standing of resiliency by teaching the vital skill of reframing.
Fostering Resiliency
As leaders or coworkers, we can actively increase the resiliency of
others by providing meaning, reframing the hardship, identifying
good coping skills, and cautioning about maladaptive coping be-
haviors (e.g., dysfunctions like alcoholism or abuse, which create
additional problems). We can help communities foster greater
resiliency by seeking together to derive meaning and looking for
positives that emerge in, and from, disaster. Also, we can reaffirm
a group’s identity and purpose and promote mutual care.
For a description of some of the most useful contemporary
research on resiliency in cross-cultural and military personnel,
see the recommended resources provided. ;
Lois Dodds, M.A., M.A., Ph.D.,
NCC, LPC, is co-founder and director of
Heartstream Resources (www.heartstream-
), and is devoted to the care
of cross-cultural, humanitarian workers
worldwide.With her husband, the late Law-
rence Dodds, M.D., she has devoted more than four decades
to screening, training, teaching, and counseling in almost 50
countries. Heartstream offers programs of restoration, as well
as training for leaders in caring for their workers. Lois is the
author of more than 15 books and hundreds of papers and
poems. She is a charter member of AACC and has presented
at everyWorld Conference.
Recommended Resources
Dodds, L. A. (2015). Resiliency: The secret to longevity and effectiveness in
ministry. American Association of Christian Counselors. World Confer-
ence, Nashville, TN, .
Dodds, L. A. (2003). Am I still me? Changing the core self to meet a new
cultural context. AACC World Conference, Nashville, TN, www.heart-
.
Dodds, L. A. (1997). Stressed from core to cosmos: Issues and needs arising
from cross-cultural ministry. AACC World Conference, Nashville, TN,
.
Dodds, L. A & Gardner, L. M. (2010, 2011, 2012). Global servants: Cross-cultur-
al humanitarian heroes. Volumes 1, 2, and 3. .
Gardner, L. M. (2014). Hardiness. Monument, CO: Snowfall Press.
Schaefer, F. & Schaefer, C. (2013). Trauma and resiliency: A handbook. Monu-
ment, CO: Snowfall Press.
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