Don't Quit, Find your Grit

Main Thought

You may not want to hear this but all christians suffer. Either you have, you are, or you will. But God doesn’t randomly allow us to experience tough seasons. Sometimes God leads us to them and through them because he has a purpose in them. Most of us are familiar with the term, IQ or Intelligence Quotient. It indicates a person’s mental ability. A less familiar term is something called AQ or Adversity Quotient. AQ measures how effectively one responds to adversity and their ability to continue to work through it. When it comes to success in life, scientists and psychologists agree that AQ is more important than IQ. A more simple description of AQ would be GRIT, which is the ability to persevere over a long period of time without giving up. You won’t find the word grit in the Bible. But God’s word describes grit in other ways like, endurance and steadfastness. The bible informs us that “in this world there will be trouble” (John 16:33). Therefore, we need grit to make it through the tough seasons of life. The good news is grit can be developed. But grit alone is not enough. We also need God’s grace which is enough when grit runs out. When we encounter difficult times the Bible encourages us to endure and persevere because there is a reward which comes in the form of changed lives. First yours and eventually others.

Main Passages:

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.  8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 2 Timothy 2:1-10

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 2 Timothy 2:1-10

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
- Galations 6:9

38 Then he (Jesus) said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
- Matthew 26:38-39

Discussion Questions:

  1. On a scale of 1-5, when you experience difficult times, what would you say is your “GRIT” level? (1 = You give up easily and 5 = You’re the king of the grind) Briefly explain your answer. 

  2. During difficult times, do you typically rely on your own effort or do you typically ask God for help? Why?

  3. How will this week’s topic change the way approach difficult seasons of life moving forward?