Be tenacious

One of the most prevalent themes in the Bible is perseverance. The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Again he wrote, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV). And James added, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 NIV). The dividing line between winning and losing isn’t talent; it’s tenacity. Being tenacious means this: (1) Giving it everything you have, not more than you have. Some people inaccurately believe that being tenacious demands more than they have to offer. As a result, they get discouraged and stop pushing themselves. But being tenacious means giving 100 percent—not more, and certainly not less. (2) Working with determination instead of waiting on destiny. Persistent people don’t rely on luck, fate, or destiny for their success. They recognize that trying times aren’t the times to quit trying. (3) Quitting when the job is finished, not when you’re tired. To succeed, you often have to push beyond what you think you can do. Remember, victory isn’t determined until the last step in the race has been run. So draw on God’s grace, refuse to give up, and keep going until you cross the finish line and win the prize.