Skip to content The ability to do hard things is a vital trait for success in life. In the bestselling book, Grit, by Angela Duckworth she details how the single best predictor of success at the rigors of West Point is not intelligence or noble motivations, but grit. Unfortunately deliberately doing hard things does not come naturally. I noticed in my children that they have a tendency to take the easy route. It takes prodding and guidance to encourage them to do the things that they don’t want to do. This inclination is not unique to my children but resonates with many adults. In this article we will explore the significance of doing hard things, how to build grit and how Christ is the author and motivator for grit.
Why is doing hard things important
Is it any wonder that all good things come with a price. Our natural tendency is to be self serving, which is our sinful nature. This often leads us to inflict the least amount of pain and maximize the most amount of pleasure in every aspect of our lives. And when this is mixed with a short sighted view of the future doing hard things falls by the wayside.
Recognizing that most worthwhile pursuits involve time and effort, genuine joy often doesn’t come instantly. Consider aspects like marriage, work, parenting, and academic achievement—these demand self-sacrifice and the willingness to do things you might not want to do. Marriage, for instance, involves an inherent loss of personal freedom. Your life is no longer solely about yourself; it becomes a shared journey with another person. You can’t spend every night out with friends or make impulsive purchases, as your decisions now impact someone else. Embracing such limitations on freedom and desires can be challenging.
To succeed in school, you must invest your time in studying, even when you’d prefer doing something else. Achieving excellence in your studies necessitates engaging in challenging tasks, such as diligent and focused study.
So why is grit important? Because it helps you achieve the things you want most. Because the good things in life are hard and the ability to do those hard things is what will help you obtain them.
How to Build Grit
So how do we build grit? Think of grit like a muscle. If you consistently make decisions to do easy things then our grit muscle will atrophy. We will succumb to the patterns of the past and continue to do those easy things. But if we start practicing doing hard things, doing harder things will be a natural pattern of your decision making. Here are some tips and ideas to build grit.
1. Do something hard everyday
Predicting when you’ll face a challenging decision is difficult. Instead of waiting for such moments, proactively create them. Incorporate a daily practice of tackling something difficult – choose tasks outside your usual routine or those that may typically seem daunting. Cultivate the habit of intentionally engaging in challenging activities.
2. Let your yes be a yes, and your no’s be no’s.
Matthew 5:37 advises, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Once you commit to something, honor that commitment. If you promise to be somewhere at a certain time, make every effort to be punctual. If you embark on learning the piano, persist through challenges instead of quitting. Let your words carry truth and reliability.
3. Be around people who have grit
You become like those you surround yourself with. It’s often said that to understand a person, examine the five individuals they spend the most time with. As communal beings, we naturally absorb and influence traits from our close circles. To cultivate grit, associate yourself with people who embody grit.
4. Think positive
If you think positively and are hopeful to your approach to whatever hard thing you do, you are more likely to succeed. Negativity is often a self fulfilling prophecy.
How Christ is the best motivator
Jesus stands as the epitome of grit. Despite being divine, he fully embraced the human experience, enduring the most formidable challenges on our behalf. His sacrificial act teaches us valuable lessons on navigating the challenges of life and mastering the art of doing hard things.
1. Jesus gives us insight to mission
Jesus confronted the most daunting challenge any human has faced, bearing the weight of every past, present, and future life. Tasked with a unique and unprecedented responsibility, he pleaded with God to spare him from the impending suffering. Yet, in a profound act of surrender, he yielded to his mission, proclaiming, “Not my will, but your will be done.” In the face of suffering, death, and separation from God, Jesus discerned a greater purpose, recognizing the significance of his mission. Similarly, we must perceive the higher purpose in our challenges, offering prayers that align with God’s will, not ours
2. Jesus gives us perspective
Through Jesus, the work of salvation is accomplished, securing our right standing with God. As we deeply comprehend our soul’s yearning for God’s approval, a profound sense of peace and rest envelops us. This understanding transforms our approach to challenging tasks, shifting our focus from selfish gains or proving worth to an act of praise for God. This alternative perspective offers clarity, revealing that the toil and pain are not solely for our benefit but dedicated to God.
3. Jesus helps us with relational hard things
The prime illustration of how faith in Jesus aids us in overcoming challenges is evident in relationships. Marriage, parenting, and forgiveness are inherently difficult, yet faith in Christ serves as a powerful motivator during relational hardships. When grappling with the challenge of forgiveness, reflect on Jesus forgiving your own transgressions. Recognizing our standing with God without Jesus reveals our deeper flaws than society perceives. However, with Jesus, we realize we are infinitely loved. This understanding cultivates humility, dismantling the barriers of pride, allowing us to navigate the challenges of forgiveness and extend grace in our relationships.
4. Jesus gives us desire.
Our capacity to tackle challenges ultimately aligns with the intensity of our desires. The stronger the desire, the greater the hardship we are willing to endure. Christ provides us with the genuine desires of our hearts. Through Jesus and his redemptive work, the pursuit of self-worth is eased. Consequently, our self-perception becomes clearer, as a negative view of ourselves no longer jeopardizes our sense of identity. This clarity enables us to more accurately pursue our heartfelt desires. A heightened desire equips us with the resilience needed to endure challenges.
Conclusion
Doing hard things is essential to life’s biggest challenges. Hopefully through these tips and insights and most importantly with Christ, we can have real toughness and do the hard things of life.
