Spiritual Grit: A Journey Into Endurance. Character. Confidence. Hope.

by Rick Lawrence, Group Publishing

Why do some people thrive in the midst of great challenges, and others don’t?

The answer is the strength at our core that fuels a scrappy response to threats, fear, confusion, and pain. Best-selling books and viral TED Talks have launched the study of resilience into the stratosphere, touting grit as the tool for personal and professional success. 
 
But Rick Lawrence, ministry leader, podcast host, and author of The Jesus-Centered Life , has discovered gaping holes in the conversation about grit. Two factors that are central to growing a gritty core have remained under the 1) A passion for something higher than yourself, and 2) Everyday life practices that help us nurture the strength we need to move through whatever life throws at us. 
 
Spiritual Grit explores the foundation for our perseverance in life, then offers an extensive menu of everyday life practices that Jesus modeled in his ministry. Over and over, Jesus was determined to develop “core strength” in the people who sought his help—even as he cared for them, he injected hardship into their lives rather than removed it. He did it by inviting risk, vulnerability, courage, and responsibility. Lawrence offers a life-changing, practical pathway toward greater endurance, confidence, and character.
 
Spiritual Grit
     • Ways to access the strength needed to live a resilient life, through a dependent relationship with Jesus 
     • Biblical stories of those who grew a “grit backbone” through their interactions with Jesus
     • A menu of life habits that fertilize grit, plus a method for identifying habits that undermine it
     • A way for readers to assess their own spiritual grit 

Without Jesus, grit is just a gimmick. With Jesus, grit can infuse the world—and our lives—with hope.

 

Genres: Christian

150 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2018

About the author

Rick Lawrence is the long-time editor of GROUP magazine and co-leader of the Simply Youth Ministry Conference. He also speaks frequently for conferences and workshops, consults for national research organizations, and publishes prolifically—with 31 books (authored, coauthored or edited), hundreds of articles, and a small-group curriculum to his credit.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great devotional resource to use during a period of prayer and fasting, or during a spiritual retreat. The small group questions at the end of each chapter and the 30-day devotional journal at the end o the book, are useful tools for deepening self-inspection. The bonus section included in the latest paperback version (which is the one I actually have) also gives food for thought as to how we live boldly in our faith.

[Werner Morgenstern · Rating 5 out of 5]

What are you passionate about? That is what you will dig deeper, and push through, to reach that goal. This book guides you into a deeper faith, and deeper commitment to God.
Persevere through the challenging times, that is what the author shows you how.

[Becky]

Some recent difficulties have made me question my spiritual grit. I was surprised after reading this book at how much grit I have. I was not surprised by how much grit I do not have. However, I realized that I can grow in grit. “When we persevere through challenges, we plant little seed in the fertile ground of our internal dialogue.” I have persevered, perhaps I have not overcome as much as I desired. The perseverance gives me encouragement. Gratefulness strengthen our courage in the midst of fears, and builds our grit. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to someone who has a desire to look inside themselves and grow in “grit”! I may have been more receptive to these ideas at the time I read this book as I was recovering from knee replacement. The words in this book helped me focus outside myself and captured my mind.