Grit Don't Quit: A 5-Day Devotional for Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn't an OptionSample

DAY 4: The Declaration of Grit

Grit and perseverance help us keep our faith and behave according to God’s call when we feel stuck, when we are waiting, and when we are in the heat of battle. Paul, our model of grit and resilience, knew the feeling of being stuck (for crying out loud, he was in prison in Rome), and he knew how to persevere under persecution (see Acts 14). Through Paul’s behavior in each of these situations, we can learn the importance of behaving with grit—with healthy habits based on God’s purpose for our lives.

One way to begin building grit is to write a declaration for your life. Your declaration is a reminder of who you are, what you are called to, and who you’re choosing to be. It is a statement of what you are declaring over your life. You can write a new declaration every year or so to remind yourself of what you’re called to in each changing season. Don’t worry about making it pretty, perfect, or poetic. Just write what your soul needs to hear. When you feel like quitting, you can come back to this declaration as a reminder of what you are called to do.

Let’s walk through writing a declaration together. I will give you the flow I use, and you can create your own from there.

Start with a visual image or a metaphor that resonates with you—for example, running, gardening, war, flying, creating. Once you have a metaphor in mind, list your desires. It might be a large social issue like fighting human trafficking, or a more personal one like breaking the stronghold of anxiety. Craft words around your desires—for example, “I want to develop self-control because my desires drive me.” Next, list Bible verses for your particular situation (simply google “Bible verses about [enter your topic]”). You’ll be surprised at how many amazing scriptures are available for your declaration. Let God’s Word remind you of His truth. Then, make a written commitment about what you promise to do.

Now, spend some time with the pieces you have assembled to create your declaration statement for whatever you are facing in this season of your life. Remember, writing a declaration isn’t about positive thinking, but about biblical optimism and truth from God’s Word. Your declaration will remind you of who you are, what you are called to, and who you’re choosing to be. Read it often, tweak it as necessary to reflect your call to obey God, and choose to apply God’s call to your life through how you think and behave. This is how grit is developed and this grit will serve you well in every circumstance as you choose to live by faith.

Respond

When have you felt stuck in your walk of faith? Why is persevering hard in this circumstance?

What does it look like for you to behave with grit while waiting? While enduring persecution?

What do you choose to declare over your life in this season of walking with Jesus? What scriptures support this declaration?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You that You didn’t quit. You completed everything necessary for my salvation with Your death and resurrection. Help me to have the grit I need to complete the purpose You have for me. When I feel like giving up, help me to look to You for the strength to persevere. I praise You for the purpose and meaning that You give to my life in spite of my shortcomings! Amen.