I leaned into the Father recently and asked what He had to say to me. I heard one word, Tenacity.
Tenacity: The quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly. The quality or fact of being very determined. The quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence.
I felt His pleasure over me as He spoke to me that I have a lot of tenacity. He’s proud that I have a “never give up” attitude. He’s proud that my outlook is that somehow a way will be made. He’s proud of the way I refuse to let the enemy shut down my dreams. The way I refuse bitterness. The way I hold fast to relationships and promises.
The last definition in the list is very interesting to me. The quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence. Absolutely. When all else and everyone else fades away, I will remain with tenacity of heart holding onto what I know is true.
Today, I challenge and provoke you, to find tenacity inside yourself. Maybe you immediately saw that word and thought, “Yes! I have that too!”. Great! Push into it and begin to walk more boldly in it. But what if you saw that word and felt no stirring, only defeat. Maybe you thought, “How could I ever be that way?” Maybe you feel so war weary that you can only imagine losing. Well friend, today is another day. Each day presents an innate opportunity to regroup and restart. In His goodness, God separated the day and night and gave us physical reminders of His grace that renews every day. As we watch the sun rise and set, we can remember this grace. We can lean into it. Was today a fail? Go to bed, rest well and give tomorrow your best! There is always tomorrow. Until we reach our final day, we can believe in the newness of tomorrow.
Just yesterday, I came down with an optical migraine. I hadn’t had one in almost two years, and this one came literally out of nowhere, and while I was in Wal Mart. Well, I had a choice, would I continue to get my groceries and then head to school to pick up kids, or would I collapse in a blubbering heap and demand someone rush to my aid. The survivor in me perked up and I finished my shopping quickly, while on the phone asking for prayer, and headed to school. On the way, I called my husband who was in Washington, DC with our daughter for a class trip, and even though he was so far away, he knew what these migraines did to me and he immediately gave me suggestions for how to safely get the kids home. On a side note: when I get these migraines, I feel very confused and my vision is impaired, so I become much more needy. It’s hard to drive with blocked vision, and the confusion in my mind makes even the easiest tasks hard. Long story short, I had someone drive us home in my car and went to lay down for a bit.
When I laid down, my mind was a blur of thought. I kept feeling embarrassed and that I was too much and people would just feel disappointed and irritated with me. Then came a moment when I began to rise up in my spirit. I said, “There should be no shame in this happening. I have no control over it, but I can control how I respond.” Right then I began to fight the headache and cry out to God for complete relief. Not long after that, I was up making dinner for my kids and getting them settled for the night. Now, I still didn’t feel wonderful, but by golly I was not going to be defeated and felt this inner determination to not be a victim of this. Then I realized, it was tenacity. There it was showing up again and leading me to victory. We all need it. Tenacity.
Prayer Moment: Lord, let the trials and troubles of this life draw out the tenacity You have placed within me. Never let me lose my sense of determination and certainty that You will come through for me. Never let me bow down to circumstances and forget Who You are. Release over me a spirit of victory, both today and everyday of my life. I will see Your goodness in the land of the living, of that I am certain. Bless me and help me to be a blessing to You and to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24
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
So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10
365 Days in the Presence 