True Grit
- Feb 16
- 2 min read
The only Oscar John Wayne ever won was for the movie TRUE GRIT. In the movie, he was selected to hunt down a killer because he had something called GRIT. Is GRIT really “a thing” you can possess?
Psychologist Angela Duckworth started her career as a schoolteacher. She was intrigued by students who seemed to succeed (socially and academically) consistently. As a PhD, she studied National Spelling Bee students, West Point cadets, rookie teachers in poor school zones, as well as corporate salespeople. She was determined to understand why some students with the highest IQs fail, while some students with much lower IQs succeed. Through her studies and evaluations, she became an expert in predicting who would succeed at the highest levels and who would fail or quit.
She explains, “One characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. It wasn’t social intelligence, good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t IQ.” She said it was “GRIT.” She explains “GRIT” as passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. “GRIT” is stamina for the fight; “GRIT” is sticking with your future objectives day in and day out. Having “GRIT” is understanding that life is a marathon, not a sprint, and it is certainly not fair.
Psychologically, the formula to build “GRIT” is simple. Talent + Effort = Skills
and Applied Skills + Effort (again) = Achievement. Gritty people achieve more because they PERSEVERE with PURPOSE. Your ability to succeed is determined more by your “GRIT” than your IQ.
I am not aware of anyone in the Bible who had more GRIT than our Lord Jesus Christ. He suffered agony in the garden. He was beaten, tortured, and crowned with thorns. He was publicly humiliated, unjustly arrested, betrayed by Judas, and denied by Peter. In the end, he was abandoned by his disciples and crucified.
Yet in Luke 23:34, we see some of Jesus' final words when he says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
That’s truly an example of GRIT. Y’all have a great day, and GOD bless you.
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