Seven practical ways grit gets us where we need to go.
By Shane Bennett
Who does this: Who says to a reasonably smart person, “Hey, wanna go live in a really hot, hard place, do really hard work which might not accomplish much in terms of visible results, annoy your kids and parents, and, get this, raise your own salary? Cool, eh?”
And what sort of person replies, “I’m in!”?
In both cases, these are the sorts of people I want to hang out with. I’m guessing they are the kind of people who read Missions Catalyst. And they are the kind of people who have a measure of grit but can always use more.
In a popular TED talk, psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth identifies grit—passion and perseverance for long-term goals—as a key indicator of success in any challenging endeavor. Emotional Intelligence expert Travis Bradberry springboards off her research in an article called 10 habits of mentally strong people and describes the practical facets of grit that help us get where we need to go in life.
“Mental strength… is that unique combination of passion, tenacity, and stamina that enables you to stick with your goals until they become a reality.” —Travis Bradberry
“To increase your mental strength, you simply need to change your outlook,” says Bradberry. “When hard times hit, people with mental strength suffer just as much as everyone else. The difference is that they understand that life’s challenging moments offer valuable lessons. In the end, it’s these tough lessons that build the strength you need to succeed.”
Seven of the habits he encourages are particularly helpful to us in missions, mission mobilization, and other global pursuits. Let’s take a look.
I may be just writing to myself here. You probably excel at many of them already. Run with whatever fits you from this list, because, believe me, I want you to succeed. You’re walking a tough road. We need you to succeed.
And, at the risk of sounding too much like Joel Osteen, I’ll add: God has made you to succeed.
1. You have to fight when you already feel defeated.
There are moments of honesty when, considering it’s been a little over 2000 years since Jesus gave us the Great Commission and that we still have a long way to go, I wonder what the heck is going on. I consider the years I have left, my limited capacity, and the task ahead, and I think, “Not gonna happen, my friend.”
In times of defeat like this, it’s good to have two things: first, a deep sense that it’s God’s gig before it’s yours, and, second, some friends who will remind you of that and push you back into the fight.
2. You have to delay gratification.
You know the marshmallow experiment, right? “Hey, little kid. You can eat this marshmallow now, or wait until I come back and you can have two.” The kids who waited grew up to win spelling bees and start Google.
Mission mobilizers can go for the quick response by describing needs. Or we can hold out for the deep value shift by sharing God’s global purposes. Missionaries may be tempted to forsake their call and go for the raised hand, the prayed prayer or the satisfaction (sometimes) of pastoring people who are already Christian.
Choose to pioneer discipleship movements among unengaged people? That will likely require delayed gratification. If that is your work, may you find enduring grace for the road you walk. Struggling? See item 1.
3. You have to make mistakes, look like an idiot, and try again.
Where I live, the only people who don’t pursue the American dream are the crazies. Maybe people look at you like you’re crazy. In following Jesus, we’ve got to decide we don’t care what most people think of us.
It’s a tricky balance that calls for wisdom and humility. You’ll make bad calls. You could be accused of stuff you didn’t do or assigned motives you don’t possess. Bring it all before God. Repent where appropriate. Then, in his grace, move on.
Of course, if you drop your sweet self into a foreign culture instead of just sticking with your own people, you’re going to look like an idiot. The only way to avoid it is to stay home. Trouble is, if you’re the kind of person who can do the work to get yourself to a different culture, you’re likely not accustomed to looking dumb.
You’re not dumb, generally: You’re just dumb here. In this situation. For a little bit. Avoid it and it lasts forever. Embrace the awkwardness and you can conquer it.
4. You have to keep your emotions in check.
Bradberry says, “While it’s impossible not to feel your emotions, it’s completely under your power to manage them effectively and to keep yourself in control of them.” Paul says, “We take every thought captive and make it a slave to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Fear, anger, and despair are all a part of following Jesus, maybe more so if you’re walking the tough road of advancing God’s kingdom in new places.
Again, a growing understanding of God and the support of others who journey with you are helpful here. I might also recommend a book I’m reading, John Ortberg’s Soul Keeping.
If you feel like you’re about to step off the edge, step back and take some time off. If you think you might be in trouble but aren’t sure, ask your wife, husband, supervisor, or a friend who will shoot straight with you.
You know this, but it bears repeating: God cares more about you than your work.
5. You have to make the calls you’re afraid to make.
Tell a donor, “No, now is not a good time for a visit.” Send a troubled short-termer home early. Launch out into new work when you’d feel more comfortable growing what’s already begun. Call for a fundraising appointment when everything in you wants to email or text, instead.
You know those tough things on your list: Get on them.
Bradberry says, “Every moment spent dreading the task subtracts time and energy from actually getting it done. People that learn to habitually make the tough calls stand out like flamingos in a flock of seagulls.”
6. You have to lead when no one else follows.
Countless heroes of modern missions initially set forth to uncharted territory largely on their own. They had a good role model: When Jesus “set his face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51), no one in the entourage thought it was a good idea. And up until Sunday morning, it looked like they were right.
Mission mobilizers often start building new work in new places amid the chorus of, “There’s so much need right here!” And without doubt, there is need right here. But God calls us forward. And like the priests of Israel, we may find those first few steps in the Jordan pretty scary and lonely.
7. You have to focus on the details even when it makes your mind numb.
I almost left this one off the list. But since I’m mostly writing this to myself anyway, I decided to push it out (see item 5).
I don’t know what’s on your list, but here are some possibilities: Mind the budget, book the Airbnb, write and send in the proposal, keep track of who’s in the pipeline or where people are on their journey to Jesus, send thank-you notes, go to language class and do the homework after, organize the paperwork for your residence permit, remember your anniversary and the kids’ birthdays… These things must be done.
You’ve chosen a challenging road. May God’s grace abound for you, building grit for the long haul. Really, what is our hope without it?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Respond to this email or post them on our website or Facebook page.
Seven practical ways grit gets us where we need to go.
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