Gritty Gratitude

I love this definition of grit: firmness of mind or spirit;  unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger.

I might add a bit more: God-given, jaw-clenching tenacity to persevere, survive, and thrive.

Sometimes, we clench our jaws so tenaciously that our teeth hurt.

But man, thank God for that grit.

It is that God-given grit that keeps us going.

Grit helps us see the rays of light in the darkness.

When faced with unsurmountable trials and tribulations, God-given grit brings us to the other side.

God-given grace and grit help us look for Jesus in the rubble of our troubles.

Finding Jesus in the struggle helps us to keep going when we realize we are not alone and that He is helping us through.

Thank you, God, for never leaving us.

Thank you for strengthening us and guiding us with your grace and kindness.

Just look back to when we first began our journey from the ashes.

There were countless times we could have given up, rightfully so when you think about it.

But thank God we didn't give up, followed God, and kept going.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: we have come so far!

We reached out to God, and He pulled us up and out with his never-ending love and grace.

Despite life's ups, downs, and difficulties, we are alive and thriving.

We stand firm on the foundation of God's unconditional love and grace and the Christ-centered courage to help us withstand whatever comes our way.

Oh God, how grateful we are for the grit and grace that comes from you.

Thank You, God, for this beautiful life you have given us.

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Romans 5: 3-5

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Philippians 3: 12-14

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.