What is Grit? Real Stories of Faith, Endurance, and Quiet Strength in Hard Times

The concept of grit is often misunderstood or oversimplified. It's not about being tough or powering through pain for the sake of endurance—it's about cultivating a deep, consistent perseverance coupled with passion for long-term goals. As Angela Duckworth's groundbreaking research has shown, grit isn't something we're born with; rather, it's a quality we can develop over time, often through facing and overcoming significant challenges in our lives.

What makes grit particularly fascinating is that it outperforms traditional success markers like IQ, family background, and even natural talent. In extensive studies, including one involving West Point cadets, Duckworth found that determination and persistence were more reliable predictors of achievement than intelligence or aptitude. This is encouraging news for anyone who's ever felt "not gifted enough" to achieve their dreams. The science is clear: your willingness to persevere matters more than your innate abilities.

Real-world examples of grit often emerge in health challenges. When my father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in 2015, doctors gave him a prognosis of approximately three years. The medical statistics were sobering, with 50-50 survival odds during critical moments of his journey. Yet here we are, celebrating ten years since diagnosis—a milestone that represents not just medical intervention, but my father's unwavering determination to fight, endure grueling treatments including stem cell and T-cell transplants, and maintain hope during the darkest moments. His remission today stands as testimony to both divine intervention and human perseverance.

Personal grit often shows up in the quiet, unseen moments of our daily lives. Recently, our family adopted a shelter dog who was subsequently diagnosed with a rare, terminal adrenal gland cancer. Watching my children respond to this heartbreaking news has been a profound lesson in graceful endurance. Rather than withdrawing to protect themselves from inevitable pain, they've leaned into love—giving extra cuddles, treats, and care, savoring every moment with their furry friend. This quiet response exemplifies grit in its most beautiful form: choosing to show up with compassion even when your heart is breaking.

The connection between faith and grit cannot be overlooked. Scripture repeatedly affirms the value of endurance: "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). Similarly, Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that "suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope." When we believe there's purpose in our pain—that our struggles aren't random or meaningless—we find strength to persevere. Faith provides the foundation and framework for our grit, giving us reason to continue when circumstances suggest otherwise.

Developing grit isn't about grand gestures but consistent habits. It looks different in various areas of our lives: at home, it might mean staying emotionally present when parenting is challenging or when relationships hit rough patches. At work, it manifests as completing tasks with excellence even when unobserved or starting over after failure. In faith, it's continuing to pray even during spiritual dryness. And in community, it's showing up repeatedly for others, serving without expectation of recognition or reward. Each small choice to persist builds this crucial character quality.

The beauty of grit is that it's accessible to everyone. You don't need special talents, advantageous circumstances, or extraordinary resources to develop it. What you need is the willingness to stay committed to what matters, especially when difficulties arise. As you face your own challenges—whether related to health, relationships, career, or personal growth—remember that each obstacle presents an opportunity to strengthen your capacity for endurance. Your grit grows precisely in those hard places, eventually shining bright as testimony to your resilience and determination.

Check out Holly’s Highlight’s podcast season 6 episode 16 for a deeper dive into the power of grit and how it plays into our everyday lives. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.