Tough
Skin, Tender Heart
In a world that praises hustle and
glorifies survival mode, it is easy to believe that grit means never showing
weakness. But when we walk with God, we are called to a different kind of
strength—a strength that is rooted in grace.
Yes, the Christian life requires grit—but
not at the expense of grace. The beauty of holy grit is that it
makes room for both.
What
Does Grit Look Like in the Bible?
Grit shows up over and over again in
Scripture, but not in the form of bravado or self-reliance.
- Noah kept building the ark when there
was no sign of rain.
- Hannah kept praying even when
misunderstood.
- Joseph kept trusting through betrayal,
slavery, and prison.
- Jesus kept moving toward the cross,
even in agony.
Each of these moments was gritty—but each
was also soaked in grace. Their strength did not come from willpower; it
came from faith.
Grit
Without Grace Becomes Harshness
If we try to build spiritual toughness
without grace:
- We become rigid instead of rooted.
- We start judging others who are struggling.
- We forget to be gentle with ourselves.
Grace keeps our grit from turning into
pride. It reminds us that strength is a gift, not a personal achievement.
Grace
Without Grit Becomes Passivity
On the flip side, grace without grit
can turn into avoidance or emotional fragility. We might excuse our
disobedience as “being gentle with ourselves,” or confuse inaction with wisdom.
Holy grit says:
“Because of grace, I can try again.”
“Because I am forgiven, I will keep walking.”
“Because He sustains me, I do not have to quit.”
Finding
the Balance: How to Walk in Both
1.
Stay in the Word
God’s Word is both sword and balm
(Hebrews 4:12). It convicts and comforts. It calls us higher and holds us
close.
2.
Keep Short Accounts
Be quick to repent when your grit
becomes harsh. Be quick to ask for strength when grace becomes an excuse to
stop.
3.
Practice Both in Community
Encourage others to persevere—and
offer grace when they fail. Cheer them on, not just when they succeed, but when
they are trying.
4.
Follow Jesus’ Example
He was tough enough to confront, soft
enough to restore. He flipped tables and washed feet. He faced the cross and
forgave His enemies.
Jesus never compromised truth or
love. That is holy grit.
How
This Shows Up in the 12-Month Plan
Each month of the Holy Grit: A Bold
Walk in Resilience and Faith reading plan invites you into this balance.
For example:
- February’s “Empowered to Endure” reminds us that we need God’s strength to
persevere.
- July’s “Necessary and Nourished” points us to grace-filled replenishment.
- October’s “With Love, I Rise” teaches us to let love—not pressure—motivate our
resilience.
This is not just about holding it
together—it is about being held by the One who holds all things together
(Colossians 1:17).
Final
Word: Resilience Requires Both
You are not meant to be either soft or
strong. You are called to be resilient in grace. Strong enough to
endure. Soft enough to be shaped. That is the balance of faith. That is holy
grit.