In every security escalation, the same public message resurfaces: “Be strong.”

It is an important message. But at times, it quietly turns into an expectation – to carry on as usual, not to complain, not to show wear.

The truth, however, is more complex.

We did not enter “Roaring Lion” from a calm or rested place. We have been living for an extended period under ongoing stress, uncertainty, and threat. Fatigue is not a sign of weakness; it is the natural result of prolonged reality.

There is physical exhaustion. Emotional strain. Concern for family, children, livelihood. Therapists, educators, security personnel, essential workers, parents. Many have been functioning for a long time in a state of constant alertness. If your patience feels shorter or your energy lower, you are not failing. You are human.

This is precisely why we must be careful with how we define resilience.

Resilience is not the absence of fear. It is not endless stamina. Resilience is the ability to keep going even when the tank is not full, without denying the fatigue. It includes setting boundaries, asking for support, and sustaining mutual responsibility even under strain.

One risk in times like these is the assumption that we should all respond the same way. In reality, people draw strength from different sources. Some anchor themselves in meaning or faith. Others rely on emotional expression or supportive community. Some need structure and clarity about what is within their control. Others regulate through creativity, humor, or simple physical movement.

There is no single right way to cope.

Acknowledging this diversity is not weakness – it is essential for collective resilience.

At this moment, we are not required to be perfect. It is enough to be “good enough.” To lower self-criticism slightly and increase compassion – for ourselves and for one another. Teams are not measured by the absence of fatigue, but by their ability to recognize it and support each other within it.

In a reality where threat feels immediate and present, real strength is not expressed only through slogans of steadfastness. It is expressed in the ability to say: we are tired, and we continue together nonetheless.

Resilience is not loud.

It is built quietly, through small steps that we can sustain over time.

Especially now, we must allow ourselves to be both strong and human.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)