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When I worked at the hospital, I would go into a patient’s room who was watching cowboy movies, and I would wish I was home covered in a fluffy blanket watching them myself. From a distance they looked so uncomplicated, but since I retired and watch them, I can’t say they are really all that relaxing. As I watch them now, in just one episode, several people are shot, hanged for stealing a horse, or dragged by a horse until they are nearly dead. Oh, and how could I forget the cattle stampedes that mangled some poor cattle driver in a deadly accident, or was it really an accident?
I will say it took grit to go out west and deal with all the danger and very uncomfortable conditions. Many people risked their life while picking up their belongings and putting them in a covered wagon and heading west. Indians on the warpath caused a constant fear, but still there is grit. So many even died before they arrived at their new home and life.
How many of us have “grit”? Are Christians supposed to have “grit”? It made me wonder if this is a good thing or bad.
There is that scripture that comes from 2 Corinthians: “And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength, with God, making all things perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
The question now is, “Can we have this weakness and still have grit?” Can we be tempted to be proud when we have what some say is grit? First, I don’t think weakness is self-loathing or feelings of failure, but a realization of who we are in Christ. It is knowing who we are and who we are not. We are not God and to see that next to him we are weak is our invitation to humility.
The definition of grit usually includes such words as courage, strength, and passion. Perseverance and dedication round out the characteristics of a person with true grit.
I think Paul is one who had true grit, just get him a horse and a big hat and he will be on that happy trail. Yet he knows he is weak, according to scripture. After Paul asked for God to remove his “thorn” he realized that weakness gives us a dependence on our God. When we think about grit did Paul himself have grit? We all know he persevered through his trials, persecution and finally execution. He was determined to spread the gospel to Gentiles all the while his face was set toward Rome where he would be tortured and die. In Christ Paul had true grit that might have been born out of weakness.
If we take a look at people who are known for having grit there is one thing they all have in common. Think of Paul! Before Paul could possess grit he had to have a passion and Paul’s passion was Jesus. When we have a passion for winning souls to Jesus it might start with a fear or weakness to testify about our journey to finding Christ. In this passage, he is saying that through your weakness, strength comes forth from our Lord. It is a God given grit or determination to do the will of the Father at all costs, even as the lives of martyrs through the centuries.
Have I waited for Jesus to turn my weakness to grit? Does the power of Christ rest on me?
"The wicked flee when no one pursues but the righteous are as bold as a lion." (Proverb 28:1 BSB)
Jeanie Nihiser
Volunteer and Prayer Warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
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