Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12, Amplified Bible (AMP)

Angela Lee Duckworth holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she is now an assistant professor in the psychology department. Duckworth and her team have studied groups of both children and adults in order to determine one thing: what character trait separates those who excel in their environment from those who don’t? Her studies have included:

• Students at West Point Military Academy
• National Spelling Bee contestants
• Rookie teachers working in tough neighborhoods
• Salespeople at private companies
• Students who attend schools in tough neighborhoods

As Duckworth shared in a recent TED Talk, the number one shared trait of the achievers wasn’t social intelligence. It wasn’t good looks. It wasn’t physical health. It wasn’t IQ. It was grit. According to Duckworth:

Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint…Talent doesn’t make you gritty. Our data shows very clearly that there are many talented individuals who simply do not follow through on their commitments. In fact, in our data, grit is usually unrelated or even inversely related to measures of talent…

Duckworth’s findings reflect what people have known for centuries: hard work and perseverance pay off. For the Christian, having grit with regards to earthly long-term goals is wonderful. But, even more wonderful is having grit with regard to the greatest long-term goal any believer can have: to receive from God, once in Heaven, the crown of life and the compliment, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” The gritty Christian stands with God in the day of persecution, as Joseph did, The gritty Christian doesn’t give up God’s way for temporary, earthly pleasures, as Demas did. The gritty Christian clings to God in tough times because he/she understands this: no matter how dire the circumstances, God can and will work all things together for good to them that love God.

Interestingly, Duckworth acknowledges in her TED Talk that she doesn’t know where grit comes from. In contrast, the Bible tells us exactly where spiritual grit comes from. It comes from God. As Philippians 2:13 (AMP) states:

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

So, what’s the formula for achieving the victorious Christian life? Have grit for God’s best, but realize that to have it, you must first ask God to supply it. If you ask anything according to His will – and asking for grit to stay the course is absolutely God’s will – then He will hear and grant your request. By asking God to supply the power while you supply the trust, you’ll find grit to be your present possession, and you’ll find the crown of life to be your future reward.