After years of research, psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth recently published her new book, Grit. She defines grit as “the ability to persevere in pursuing a future goal over a long period of time and not giving up… It is having stamina. It’s sticking with your future, day-in, day-out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Ultimately, Duckworth says, grit is a predictor of success.
We’ve all heard the saying, “eighty percent of success is just showing up.” Duckworth would argue that it’s more than just showing up – it’s showing up with daily practice and purpose, the key factors of grit, that really determines success. I would also add perseverance. It is perseverance that is vital to growing your faith through daily practice and prayer. It is then, through our faith, where He wants us to persevere, no matter what happens in our daily lives.
Perseverance, a relentless persistence in a course of action in spite of difficulties and discouragement, is an important characteristic among great leaders. Most of us are leading someone, whether family members, teams at work, or groups of volunteers and, if we’re going to successfully influence these teams to achieving desired goals, we’re going to have to show some perseverance.
In the Bible, we see numerous stories of determined and resilient leaders who had grit, including Paul, David, Moses, Noah, Jacob, Joseph, Abraham and Sarah – and Jesus, who overcame the ultimate adversity and obstacle in sacrificing His life for the ones He loved most.
The following verses are good reminders and encouragement as we focus on developing grit:
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13 (NLT)Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised. Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)By standing firm, you will win your souls. Luke 21:19 (NLT)Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT)“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.” Revelation 3:10 (NLT)God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 (NLT)As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NLT)
