This week’s virtue is Gritty. We get things done the right way, no matter the circumstance. The supporting scriptures are:
Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Proverbs 14:23 – In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
I want to add one more verse: Proverbs 24:16 – For the righteous falls seven times and rises again. It is not possible to improve on God’s word so I will merely try to add some perspective and food for thought.
How many of us have heard things like, “You are a quitter; you can’t do that. You have no formal training or education; what makes you think you can succeed?” Being gritty requires great determination. When we encounter challenges, we need to focus on the outcome, recognizing that it will not be easy; it will be tough. You need to be tougher!
Encountering great challenges also means that failure may be part of the experience. Often, when we are doing something new, we need to learn as we go. Our first attempt(s) may be wrought with failure. Failure is one of the best ways to learn. The key is not to quit or give up but to finish well.
We need to have a growth mindset. Through challenging experiences, we will be better, stronger, and more capable. Also, I help others who will experience the same or similar challenges—being humble means recognizing that we need help from others and asking for it.
We can all think of those others in our lives and history who have shown true grit. One person that comes to mind is Sargent Alvin Cullum York. Sergeant York was a highly decorated soldier who served in the US Army during World War I. Please read his story in the book Sergeant York: His Own Life Story and War Diary.
Well, it is implied that what we are trying to accomplish is right and worthy of our pursuit. Grit wrongly applied will result in true failure, personally and potentially morally.
