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

DAY 1: The Importance of Cultivating Grit, Resilience, and Perseverance

Perhaps there are moments in life when you wish for a new day—heck, maybe even a new life—and you must somehow muster enough strength to show up when all you want to do is stay in bed. What if I told you that failing is acceptable, losing is acceptable, and crying is acceptable, but quitting is not? No matter how discouraged you might feel today, you can develop grit, build resilience, and learn the power of perseverance that will get you through tomorrow.

What makes people resilient? What helps them get up and keep going even when hope for what lies ahead is difficult to see? More than just defining resilience or praying for perseverance, we need to actively commit to not giving up. This growth mindset allows you to—get ready for this—like challenges, enjoy effort, and learn from mistakes. Yes, a growth mindset is a resilient mindset. A growth mindset is the belief and conviction that your potential is unknown and not fixed by your personal traits (praise the Lord), history (hallelujah), or characteristics (Yes, Jesus!). There is hope, no matter your circumstances. But growth requires work.

The lens through which we see failure and falling, success and sanctification, should be rooted in the Word of God. As King Solomon said, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again” (Proverbs 24:16 NLT). Falling isn’t failure. And failure isn’t final. The apostle Paul, through all his trauma, trials, and tribulation, refused to give up (see Ephesians 3:20). Living a life of grit isn’t about success. In its simplest and rawest form, resilience is the ability to show up, endure pain, press on, and keep going—even if you’re not winning. Success is not the same as resilience. When you’re successfully resilient, your problems may still exist—but you’re forging ahead in the middle of the mess.

There is one specific characteristic that can help you succeed in completing what you are called to. What is this characteristic? Grit. The Bible’s terms for grit are perseverance and endurance. The life of the apostle Paul might give us some clues on how grit, perseverance, and endurance are forged. In short, how can we cultivate this spirit? How can we bounce back from a setback?

Paul’s conversion experience literally knocked him to the ground (see Acts 9:3–5). God was not condemning Paul, but giving him an opportunity to make a change in character. When we have an encounter with God—when we have a conversation with God—we cannot help but be changed. Paul’s conversation with Jesus led to a spiritual conversion that led to the call upon his life that has affected all of Christianity as we know it today. How? He got back up.

If we decide to adhere to what God whispers to us after we’ve been knocked down, we will see the need to get back up and do what God has created and called us to do. Standing back up and moving forward is so much harder than quitting and remaining down, but the more you trust God and His promises, the easier it gets. The more we obey God’s Word and His promptings, the more we will see the fruit of obedience in our lives. The Holy Spirit living in us will empower us to do things that seem absolutely impossible on our own.

Respond

How do you tend to respond to failure or getting knocked down?

In what ways has God used what you have learned from mistakes in the past?

In what ways is God asking you to grow in resilience, have grit, and persevere for His sake?

Prayer

God, I need Your help to persevere. As I face challenges, help me to grow, learn, and fail without giving up. Thank You that I can learn to be resilient as I work through the messes that surround me. I pray that my efforts, grounded in Your strength, will bring You glory! Amen.