Strength Through Divine Hope
“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield. ”
I’ve appreciated reading Angela Duckworth's Grit. Duckworth, a psychologist, defines grit as “passion and perseverance for very long-term goals.” Duckworth includes a chapter on “hope,” which is a fundamental aspect of Christianity and many other religious traditions. As I read Duckworth’s concept of hope as a driver of grit, I considered its implications and how it differs from a Christian perspective. Duckworth contends, “It [grit] rests on the expectation that our own efforts can improve our future. I have a feeling tomorrow will be better is different from I resolve to make tomorrow better.”
I appreciate Duckworth’s contention that hope comes when we show grit by taking responsibility for making tomorrow better. Yet, for people of faith, we must include God in the process. I would say, “I resolve to make tomorrow better, by listening for, and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” Our personal grit remains necessary, but hope does not rely solely on our ability. Our grit is motivated by our initiative and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Even when we feel our limitations, we place our hope in our Triune God to bless and direct our way forward.
Two psychologists, Marty Seligman and Steve Maier, explored the concept of “learned optimism.” Seligman discovered that optimists, like pessimists, experience painful moments. “Where they diverge is in their explanations: optimists habitually search for temporary and specific causes of their suffering, whereas pessimists assume permanent and pervasive causes are to blame.” Pessimists are overwhelmed by the pervasive or unending causes beyond our control. The lack of control leads to despair.
The blessing of our faith in God is appreciating that our trials and tribulations are “temporary and specific,” not “pervasive and unending,” because our loving God brings life, hope, and love rather than unending agony. We are blessed with the opportunity for optimism, not by pretending that all will go our way, but instead, by placing our trust in our Triune God, who watches over us and promises to remain in covenant with us. We find our hope in God, who gives us the confidence to live with hope, providing the grit we need to make a difference in the world.
