In an age where adversity feels ever-present, whether through global crises, personal setbacks, or the constant noise of social media, resilience has become a buzzword. How do we bounce back from the challenges we face? How do we keep moving forward when life can feel so unpredictable? Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher often dubbed the “father of existentialism,” offers profound insights into these questions—insights that might seem unconventional in today’s context. At the heart of his exploration lies the concept of faith. And, according to Kierkegaard, faith isn’t just a religious conviction; it’s an essential element of developing emotional and mental resilience.
In his book The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard explores despair and its connections to human existence. He describes despair as a kind of sickness of the spirit—a disconnection from one’s authentic self. In this work, he presents faith not merely as a solution to despair but as a transformative force capable of turning existential crisis into a journey of self-realisation. So how can Kierkegaard’s concepts of faith help us build resilience in the face of adversity today? Let’s delve into his teachings and see how they speak to our modern struggles.
Understanding Faith in the Context of Resilience
When we talk about resilience, we usually think of the ability to “bounce back” after hardship. We think of athletes overcoming injuries or individuals rebuilding their lives after personal losses. Kierkegaard saw resilience through a different lens: rather than focusing solely on physical or material recovery, he explored resilience in terms of our inner lives—how we confront fear, despair, and uncertainty.
For Kierkegaard, faith is a leap—a conscious decision to embrace the unknown and to believe in something greater than oneself. It’s the acceptance that while life is filled with uncertainties and contradictions, we can still find meaning and strength. This act of faith becomes a kind of anchor that holds us steady when life’s chaos threatens to overwhelm us.
Faith as the Antidote to Despair
In The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard describes despair as the “sickness unto death”—a spiritual crisis that arises when an individual loses connection with their true self. Despair, according to Kierkegaard, isn’t just sadness or depression; it’s a state of being that comes from feeling estranged from our own potential, from who we were meant to be. It’s the inner struggle between who we are and who we think we should be, between our infinite possibilities and the constraints of our finite existence.
The remedy Kierkegaard proposes is faith—a faith that goes beyond religious dogma. It’s a deep, personal relationship with oneself and, for Kierkegaard, ultimately with God. Faith allows us to confront despair not with hopelessness, but with trust. Trust that there is a purpose, even if we cannot fully comprehend it. Trust that our experiences, however painful, are part of a larger story. This leap of faith helps us bridge the gap between our limitations and our potential, turning our fear of the unknown into a source of strength.
Embracing the Absurdity: Faith as a Choice
Kierkegaard understood that life is often absurd—full of contradictions and events that defy logic. Many of us are confronted with situations that don’t make sense: we work hard and still face failure, we love deeply and still face loss, we plan carefully and still face unpredictability. Kierkegaard’s philosophy encourages us to embrace the absurdity of life, not by ignoring it or rationalising it away, but by accepting it through faith.
In Kierkegaard’s view, faith is not about having all the answers. It’s about choosing to believe, even when the evidence is unclear. In this sense, faith is an act of courage. It’s about waking up each day and saying, “I may not know what the future holds, but I choose to face it with hope.” This kind of faith becomes the bedrock of resilience. It allows us to navigate life’s uncertainties without losing ourselves in the process.
Building Emotional and Mental Resilience through Faith
So, how can Kierkegaard’s concept of faith be applied practically to help us build resilience? Here are some lessons we can take from his philosophy:
1. Accepting Vulnerability
One of the most challenging aspects of resilience is accepting that we are vulnerable. We live in a culture that often celebrates strength and self-sufficiency, but Kierkegaard teaches us that true resilience comes from acknowledging our limitations. Faith involves recognising that we are not in complete control—and that’s okay. By accepting our vulnerability, we allow ourselves to connect with others, to seek help when we need it, and to grow from our experiences.
2. Finding Meaning in Adversity
Kierkegaard believed that despair arises when we lose sight of meaning. When faced with hardship, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the apparent randomness or unfairness of it all. But faith invites us to find meaning even in our struggles. This doesn’t mean we have to be grateful for our pain, but it does mean we can choose to see our experiences as part of a larger journey. Faith allows us to transform our adversity into an opportunity for growth, for learning, and for deepening our understanding of ourselves.
3. The Leap of Faith: Moving Forward without Certainty
One of Kierkegaard’s most famous ideas is the “leap of faith”—the idea that true commitment, whether to a cause, a relationship, or a belief, requires us to take a step into the unknown without guarantees. In moments of crisis, we often hesitate because we want certainty—we want to know that things will work out before we act. But Kierkegaard reminds us that resilience is about taking that leap even when certainty is impossible. It’s about trusting that we will find solid ground, even if we can’t see it yet.
4. Living Authentically
Kierkegaard’s concept of the “self” is central to his philosophy. He believed that many of us live inauthentically—conforming to societal expectations or living out roles that others have imposed on us. This inauthenticity can lead to a sense of emptiness or despair because we are not being true to ourselves. Faith, in Kierkegaard’s view, involves a commitment to discovering and living out our true selves. This authenticity is a key component of resilience because it allows us to draw strength from who we genuinely are, rather than from a false image we present to the world.
5. Connecting with Something Greater
For Kierkegaard, faith ultimately meant a relationship with God, but even for those who do not identify as religious, the concept of connecting with something greater than oneself is powerful. It could be a commitment to a cause, a community, or a set of values that transcends individual interests. This connection provides a sense of purpose that helps us endure difficulties. When we see ourselves as part of something larger, our struggles become more bearable because they are no longer just about us—they are part of a bigger picture.
6. The Importance of Hope
At its core, Kierkegaard’s concept of faith is about hope. It’s about believing that, despite the challenges we face, there is a reason to keep going. In times of adversity, hope can be a powerful motivator. It keeps us moving forward, even when the path is unclear. Faith, in this sense, is not about ignoring the difficulties of life but about facing them with the conviction that they do not define us.
Applying Kierkegaard's Lessons Today
In today’s fast-paced world, where success is often measured by material achievements and where uncertainty seems to be the only constant, Kierkegaard’s teachings on faith offer a refreshing perspective. They remind us that resilience is not about having all the answers or being unshakeable in the face of adversity. It’s about embracing our vulnerability, finding meaning in our struggles, and taking courageous steps forward even when we don’t have all the answers.
Kierkegaard’s insights also challenge us to look beyond the superficial aspects of life—beyond the pursuit of comfort, success, and approval—and to cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and with something greater. Whether that “something greater” is God, community, or a cause, it provides the foundation upon which resilience is built.
In The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard emphasises that despair is a condition we all face at some point. But he also offers hope: the idea that through faith, we can transcend despair and discover a deeper, more authentic way of living. This faith isn’t a magic solution that makes our problems disappear; rather, it’s a source of strength that helps us face them with courage and resilience.
The next time you find yourself struggling with uncertainty, anxiety, or despair, consider Kierkegaard’s approach. Take a leap of faith—not necessarily a religious one, but a leap into trusting yourself, into believing that your life has meaning beyond the present moment of struggle. In doing so, you may find that the resilience you need was within you all along, waiting to be awakened by the power of faith.