Grit
What does it really take to succeed? What do successful people have that others do
not have? Do you have it?
Let's explore this topic together in today's devotional
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13
Imagine if you knew how many asks it would take to get a "yes", or how many knocks it would take for the door to open, or how many tries it would take to succeed? It would be easy to stay the course for success if you knew it was worth the effort, and many would find success easier to achieve. Unfortunately, life does not work that way; although God has revealed to us the path and given us the grace to persevere toward success, He reserved the exact formula for the curious and the persistent. When they arrive at "success", they discover that it was not a secret at all but rather a four-letter word: grit.
Grit is generally defined as "mental toughness and courage."
Others define it as the strength of character and resolve. Grit is a word rarely used in the daily vocabulary. It is not sexy, nor does it inspire, but it is the one thing that all successful people have that others do not have.
I define grit as "the grace to presevere despite the circumstances."
It is more than skill, more than talent--it is forward fortitude. It is a consistent forward movement towards a goal or a vision. Not all people with experience or talent are able to make it, but all who possess grit eventually do. They just keep trying; they never quit.
Abraham did not know where he was going when God called him, but being certain of the One Who called, he had the grit to trust Him and leave his country to go where God will reveal, believing that God will lead Him to that new country.
Moses did not feel qualified to take on Pharaoh or to lead the children of Israel through the wilderness, but he had the grit to keep showing up and to keep pressing forward, trusting that God will do what He said he would do.
Jesus faced anguish in Gethsemane as he faced the responsibility of taking on the sin of the entire world--being beaten, bruised and crucified on the cross, He still pressed forward and endured the pain due to his love for humanity.
What are you called to do? What is currently before you right now that you must be gritty about? What are the essential ingredients of Grit? Grit requires the following:
- Trust in the sovereignty of God
- Passion and clarity of the call
- Courage to do what ever it takes
- Willingness to just show up
- Resilience to persist
- A "never give up" attitude and a commitment to finish
- A pursuit for excellence rather then perfection
How is grit acquired? There is no school that can teach it to you, no book that can offer it, and there is no coach that can help you develop it. To acquire grit you just have to keep doing it.
Grit is acquired over time as you persist in doing the things that are required of you, and the work to which you feel called.
It is something that only time can give you. And you know it when you have it, because you just keep going when everyone else has given up. Those with grit are always the last ones standing. Their grittiness keeps them up when everyone else has fallen. One of the grittiest people in scripture was the Apostle Paul, and this scripture reflects his gritty attitude.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."-Ephesians 6:10-17
My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to have grit and to press on towards the goal in all the things He has called you to do.
Reflection: Do you have the fortitude to do what it takes to press forward to accomplish your goals and vision?
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