of grit and grace

Have you ever had a time where you heard a phrase and even though it was entirely out of context, it crystallized an idea for you? This happened to me (Camilla) last week. I was listening to a podcast and the speaker was talking about the apostle Paul. The speaker quoted the Christian pastor and teacher Chuck Swindoll’s use of the terms grace and grit to describe Paul’s ministry and preaching. 

I have not been able to shake the phrase since. It’s what I want for myself; it’s what I want for my girls. It’s what all of us at Relay Exchange want for this entire next generation of girls: we want them to be full of grit and grace. 

Because they are going to need both. And so do we.

We need grit. We need the strength to dig in and stick with it when parenting hits a rough patch. We need courage to choose hope when faced with a health challenge. We need perseverance to hang in during a difficult season relationally. Grit is that characteristic that refuses to give in to self pity or even fatigue. It is the attribute that fuels second -- and third, and fourth -- tries. It’s what an athlete needs in training, and it’s what we all need in living. 

James is talking about grit in James 1:4:

“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

How can we be steadfast? First, we need to be immersed in Scripture so that we know what God promises, who He is, and what He wants for us. Studying Scripture leads us to a deeper understanding of what we believe. Most importantly, it causes us to draw near to God. The closer we are to God, the more easily it becomes to rely entirely on Him regardless of our circumstances. 

Isaiah 26:3 talks of being steadfast and of its reward: perfect peace. This is the kind of peace we have when we leave it all with God and trust His wisdom, His timing and His plans. This is the peace we have when we stop striving and start resting in His grace, which brings me to the next part of the phrase.

We also need grace. We need grace for ourselves when we fail and for our kids. We need grace from others and most of all, from our heavenly father. We need to live gracious lives with generous hearts, so that we draw others in, rather than pushing them away. 

Hebrews 4:16 shows us where we find grace:

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

We find grace at the throne of God. We find grace when we seek God and ask for grace, because grace is freely given. 

Both grit and grace are more easily found in communities where members encourage one another, point one another to the promises of God, and remind one another of His goodness. It is easy to lose hope and hard to persevere in isolation, but in community we can bear one another’s burdens. We can be living reminders for one another that God gives strength for the battle and hope for the future. 

Let’s all be people of grit and grace: people who are steadfast in their trust and gracious in their actions toward themselves and others.