The Essential Quality of Grit
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT) — 1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
Here’s our definition of grit. – It’s the _______________ and ______________ to achieve ______________ goals.
Acts 27:13–14 (NLT) — 13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea.
Acts 27:20 (NLT) — 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
HOW DO I DEVELOP THE ESSENTIAL QUALITY OF GRIT?
1. I have to realize there will be ___________ ___ _____________.
John 16:33 (NLT) — 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 11:23–28 (NLT) — 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
2. I have to remain in ________ of ______ _____________.
Acts 27:21–22 (NLT) — 21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down.
Acts 27:25 (NLT) — 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.
3. I have to resist the _____________ ______ ________.
Acts 28:3 (NLT) — 3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand.
Acts 28:5 (NLT) — 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed.
4. I have to rely on ________ _________ to bring me through.
2 Corinthians 1:8–9 (NLT) — 8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT) — 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and
troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
5. I have to remember the _______ ________ of God’s plan.
Romans 8:28 (NLT) — 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) — 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
NEXT STEPS:
- Memorize 2 Corinthians 12:10.
- Rely on God’s power for the GRIT to face my current challenges.