The older I get the more I realize that this life is not for the feint of heart. It can be gritty, heart wrenching, ugly, and just plain nasty. However, it is also beautiful, heartwarming, uplifting, soul-cleansing and positively glowing. And all of these things can happen in the matter of a few minutes, a few days, and spread across a lifetime. So, that’s why D is for Dogged Determination.
It takes dogged determination to make it through this life. If you’re like me, you’ve lived a life of ups, downs, and in-betweens. No life is easy, but that doesn’t mean you lay down and take what’s given to you.
You Get. Back. Up.
Keep going.
Stand up. Be strong.
Never give up.
Suck it up buttercup.
We live in a fallen world with rampant sin, death and destruction all around us. But, we also live in a world created by God – with daily reminders of His love for us. My assurance is that this world is temporary for my eternal home is waiting for me in heaven. But, until I get there, I will doggedly pursue what God has set before me. It doesn’t mean my life is easy. Oh, goodness, no. But, I do believe that God has given each of us a purpose and it’s my job to fulfill that purpose.
So, for me, with dogged determination I’ll pursue that purpose until my dying breath. I can’t give up. I can’t give in…and I won’t.
So, with whatever you are going through don’t give up. Stand on God’s truth and know that He’s with you every step of the way. Breathe in those peaceful moments and tuck them in your heart. When life gets rough, pull them out as a reminder of what is waiting for you when this valley rises to the next mountain. There will be another mountain. There will be other valleys, but Psalm 23 says that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we should not fear for God is with us.
So rise up.
Dust yourself off.
Pull on your big girl britches and let’s go.
God needs you today to rise up and be strong in HIM. Your children need you. Your husband needs you. Refresh your soul with God’s Word and push through. Use that dogged determination ingrained in your heart and push aside any fear. For 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
What are you waiting for?
GO!
By the way, I love this song … kind of sums up life, doesn’t it?
it is true… life seems to beat some folks down and give others determination to keep going.
That is so true!
Beautifully said! I’ve always been glad when I got up again, even though it may be SO difficult!
Thank you, Melissa. Me, too. I learn a lot about myself each time I pick myself back up and get moving. Well, that being said, I truly find the majority of the time that it’s not me pulling myself up, though…it’s God lifting me up with His hand and setting me back up on my feet.
What a wonderful post! Sometimes, we just have to DO it. Whatever the “it” might be. There are times when I really don’t want to or maybe don’t even know how to, but holding onto the Lord and trusting Him is the one thing I know for sure.
Amen! Thank you for stopping by!
Getting back up is hard, but oh so worth it! Thank you for sharing with us and Blogging Through the Alphabet!
Absolutely. It’s my pleasure!
Great post! I’ve had to pick myself up many times in the past and I am sure I will need to in the future. Thanks for sharing!
Encouraging post, Meredith! Thank you for sharing! Life is messy and downright difficult at times. Yet, I’ve learned that is it at those “worst” of times that God is working His best in and through me. The end result is something beautiful He has created!
I love your post! My adviser in graduate school told me, “You don’t have to be smart to get a PhD – you just have to be relentlessly determined.” I live by that. If you keep at it, you can achieve anything. Thank You!
You’re welcome! I love what your adviser told you. Definitely words to live by.
Great post. Really inspiring.
Thank you!
Thank you for the reminder to have determination to get through the tough times of life instead of becoming defeated.