Grit

Grit is defined in psychological terms as a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual’s perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular long-term goal or end state (a powerful motivation to achieve an objective). As things progressively get more comfortable, we lose this. The more we nestle within a blanket to keep our little feet warm, the more we cannot manage being out in the cold. There is an old saying, “there is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone.” For the majority of kids these days, they do not experience much other than comfort. How is one supposed to grow and develop when the only adversity they face is when they did not thoroughly enjoy the meal that their mother prepared for them? As parents, we need to prepare our kids for the road, and not the road for our kids. By removing our children from adversity, we take away an opportunity for them to experience and overcome difficulty – thus an opportunity to learn and prepare for the future. Lacking these experiences, when things get difficult in the future we’ll see a temper-tantrum or a simple “I quit”. Neither one of these is productive and helpful. Back to grit! The Bible equates grit to endurance and perseverance. Romans 5:3 says “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.” John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome this world.” It would be prudent of us to apply grit into every aspect of life. Allow yourself (and your children) to overcome discomfort. Soon you will be able to find comfort during uncomfortable situations, understanding that it is a growing opportunity and you are getting better. Nobody gets smarter by not studying and learning. Nobody gets stronger by lying in their bed, so why would one become more resilient by not experiencing difficulty?

I went for a run the other day and planned for an endurance run (longer distance but slower pace). After 2 ½ miles I started justifying running only 3 instead of 4 miles. I thought, “I’ll just run this next half mile hard, finish 3 miles and be good.” I then realized this was an excuse (justification) my brain made up so that I didn’t have to complete my self-assigned homework. I then pondered the word endurance and came to a realization – In order to gain endurance, one must endure. It was right there in the word itself! I finished (endured) the run in its entirety and thanked God for the heads up and opportunity to learn while getting stronger.