Pastor Ponderings #167: *Antifragile*

My Mom used to have a beautiful, hand-painted, glass pitcher that was only used for special occasions. The reason it only made it from the cupboard to the table on special days was because it had to be handled with care; it was fragile. We had another juice pitcher which was large and made of plastic. It could be used as a soccer ball in the kitchen and be filled with liquids just as effectively after it was restored to the counter. The plastic was far more durable than Mom’s hand-painted glass.

Nassim Taleb coined the term "antifragile" in his 2012 book, Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder. In it he explains how wine glasses are fragile and need to be guarded and protected. Plastic cups or tumblers, on the other hand, can tumble without fear of breaking. When something breaks in a fall it is fragile. A tumbler can fall without fear of breaking, but it is not made better as a result of the fall. There are antifragile items which can actually be improved by the tumble.

The most obvious of these antifragile objects are people. Which infant hasn’t become familiar with the tumble as they learn to walk? How many toddlers have tumbled through the tragedy of tricycle training? The drama heightens in bicycle riding! Rollerblading or skating, sledding or somersaults, cartwheels or back flips, each require a willingness to tumble in order to improve. Improving as a result of a fall is the definition of antifragile.

The Lord has, in magnificent wisdom, designed us to be resilient, antifragile creatures. Imagine if every first fall was our last due to irreparable damage! Instead, bumps and bruises heal, adjustments are made and experience is gained. We are bettered for our bumps and bruises. There is however an important element to add to the process. A willingness to run the risk of failure in the pursuit of success.

Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity._

There is no benefit in being antifragile if we are unwilling to make an attempt. He who tries to do something and fails is still far better off than he who tries to do nothing and succeeds. For the Christian, we are to walk in obedience to Christ’s commands. This may appear to be an insurmountable task. Hence, the Lord has made us antifragile. For all our failures, we have been offered the gifts of repentance and forgiveness. Every failed effort with obedience in view has been a beneficial exercise in moving us, even if minimally, toward success. The righteous get up and try again. The wicked fail, fall and fade.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

In Christ, we are not dainty doilies destined to be destroyed. We are robust by the grace of God wherein we stand. We are not flimsy pushovers because we are more than conquerors in Christ. We will not fade into obscurity but bask in the light of the world who has left us His word for a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. On account of Christ, we are not easily broken. In Jesus we are not simply survivors, but thrivers. Bumps and bruises help to form our character and improve our reflection of the object of our affection Jesus. A Christian may be tender, but not fragile. Perhaps sensitive, but not weak. A Christian is by definition, antifragile.