Determination

The operational definition of determination is “purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition.” Determination is having the resolve to know God’s will and the follow-through to do it, undeterred by competing desires, distractions, or resistance. This perseverance is not to be confused with insistence on our own way. God reveals His goals in His Word and through the Holy Spirit’s leading. When setting out to accomplish a goal, the determined Christian can expect challenges that will test his resolve and self-discipline. He looks for ways to overcome these obstacles and press on toward the goal. Breaking down large goals into achievable steps of action can keep him from being overwhelmed by a task. Sometimes God’s plan involves risk or loss, but the Lord is with His children through danger. Sacrifices will be small in comparison to the end reward.

The opposite of determination is faintheartedness. A fainthearted person may decide to do something; however, in response to the first distraction or hardship he encounters, he quickly forsakes his resolve. He readily abandons his course, succumbing to laziness, discouragement, or fear. Because he does not place sufficient value on the actual goal, he shifts to an easier alternative or quits altogether. He may start learning a musical instrument, memorizing a Bible chapter, or training for a race but fail to complete the endeavor. He lacks the inner strength to exert sufficient effort or make sacrifices necessary to finish. A common sign of faintheartedness is the use of phrases such as “It’s too hard,” “I would rather . . . ,” or “I don’t want to.” The fainthearted person may consider his own comfort or popularity to be more important than completion of the task God has given him.