“Grit is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individuals perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular long-term goal or end state. The perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie on the path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization.” -Wikipedia
Grit. Its a word I’ve come to love. Its not always been in my vocabulary but once I became a mother this word moved me to action. Thats what it is. Its the action part of this blog. It is not based on our logic. It is “non-cognitive”. Though this word may be new to us; the concept is not. Jesus had the most grit of anyone who ever lived. Even from the moment he was a child and had been found in the temple (after missing for 3 days) he proclaimed to his mother “didn’t you know I had to be in my fathers house?” Luke 2:49 Jesus’ ministry was not like any other teaching at the time. He was a rebel. His disciples all flawed (in some way) and what we might see as “regular or normal” men. His teachings often labeled by the pharisee’s and priest (teachers of the Jewish law) as criminal. Jesus was in fact a rebel in his time. He had grit. He didn’t care what the culture said or what the “norm” was. He was about getting down to business. When you really stop and think about it too He only had 3 years to do the necessary work.
This is exactly how we find grit. We once again look at Jesus and try to be like him. Grit comes from a place of deep seeded passion. Passion is a natural occurrence that stems from a transformed heart. A transformation in the heart comes from a transformed mind. “Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. THEN you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 Grit is an action, it comes after we have done the hard work in our mind, heart, and soul. It is the part where we become his disciple and live out our walk. It eventually becomes a natural response.
The Grit portion of this blog will highlight something as simple as achieving a fitness goal and as serious as seeing a sinner come to Christ or a sick person made well. Goals that I’ve personally achieved or goals that I have witnessed others achieve. I have a feeling that this portion of the blog will be the most fun to write about! What do you think about when you think of this word GRIT?