PERSISTENCE


Albert Einstein once said, "I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me my ideas." He's saying, basically, "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."

He may have understated his intelligence and talent, but he does so to make a point: For more than any other reason, he was successful because he was persistent.

I'm no Einstein, but I can also say that the success I have experienced can be attributed to this same principle. And I can say that my failures weren't so much the result of a lack of talent or the lack of worthwhile goals, they were the result of quitting too soon.

Solomon said, "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." (Proverbs 24:16)

When I'm struggling with failure — spiritually, financially, personally or relationally — I have to remind myself often that the difference between my being a wise man and a fool — the difference between my being righteous and unrighteous — is determined by my willingness to get up and try again.

Have you fallen down? Has it happened more than once? If you're like me, maybe you sometimes want to throw in the towel. But remember this: if a dream is worth one good try, it's worth a thousand.

Take another look at the goals God has given you. Then get up, and try again.

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