NOUN | grit
courage and resolve; strength of character
synonyms: courage · bravery · pluck · mettle · backbone · spirit ·strength of character · strength of will · moral fiber · steel · nerve · fortitude · toughness · hardiness · resolve · resolution · determination · tenacity · perseverance · endurance · guts · spunk
Grit-as specifically described by psychologist, author and leading expert in this field, Angela Duckworth-is “passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals.” This kind of passion is not about intense emotions or fleeting infatuation. Rather, its determination, strength of character and resolve which allows one to stay focused on achieving long-term goals. When students have grit, they are able to stay committed to a task in the face of adversity.
Grit is also about perseverance. To persevere means to stick with it; to continue working hard even after experiencing difficulty or failure. Perseverance is knowing that every encounter, good or bad, has value. It is the combination of these two qualities-passion and perseverance-over the long term, that the true benefits associated with grit are realized.
Why is grit important? Because it allows students to use their passion and perseverance to transform their talents into skills. Without effort, talent is nothing more than unmet potential. It is only with effort that talent becomes a skill that leads to success. Grit is the grease which keeps the engine running over the long haul.
In Scripture, we see many examples of men and women who persevered in spite of great difficulties. These Hall of Famers of faith ran the race, completed the course and fought the good fight because of perseverance. Students at Immanuel Christian High School will be presented with challenges intellectually, socially, athletically, and spiritually and the life school of perseverance will determine whether one is able to stay the course when faced with these challenges.
II Peter 1:5-8 (NASB)
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.