Biblical Examples
Determination can be good or bad depending on your focus. It also lasts or fades depending on the approach we take to maintaining it. As Christians, our goal is to maintain a God-focused determination.
Let’s look at three individuals in scripture from whom we can learn a lot about a God-focused determination.
- Ezra’s determination teaches us that we must be hearers, doers and teachers of God’s Word. (Ezra 7:9-10)
- Daniel’s determination shows us that resisting the surrounding culture is not only possible but necessary. (Daniel 1:8)
- Paul’s determination illustrates the need for complete focus on the finish line. (1 Corinthians 9:26)
These men teach us a great deal about staying determined, and they set examples we can and should follow.
Biblical Instruction
Through Ezra’s, Daniel’s and Paul’s examples, we see that staying determined is possible. In addition, the Bible clearly indicates where our determination should focus.
We are to be determined to…
- Obey God: Simply make up your mind to do it. (1 Samuel 7:3)
- Avoid sin: Know your convictions before you are tested. (Job 31:1)
- Stand firm: Stand in faith, and you will be protected. (Isaiah 7:9)
- Follow Christ: Let Him lead you in every area of life. (Mark 8:34-38)
How to Be Determined
How do we obtain and maintain an enduring God-focused determination? Let’s again look to Ezra, Daniel & Paul for answers.
- Ezra praised God for giving him favor. He also went to the Lord with concerns. (Ezra 7:27-28; Ezra 9)
- Daniel had a habit of prayer that he maintained even when facing death. (Daniel 6:10)
- Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, often included prayers filled with thanksgiving, prayers for others, as well as prayer requests for his ministry. (See a list of Paul’s prayers on Scripture Zealot.)
Habits of prayer, praise and thanksgiving are keys to constant God-focused determination. Also, never forget that God promises to help us stay determined.
“For the Lord God helps Me, therefore, I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like flint (a stone), and I know that I will not be ashamed.” (Isaiah 50:7)
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Barb
I really love these points, Kari – I look forward to checking out the Ezra passage this morning as I'm not familiar with that. I also like the ideas of praise and thanksgiving. I never thought of that in relation to pursuing goals and staying determined but I think you're right. For me also, seeing the situation from God's perspective is also very important in staying determined. I like your "Know your why" point as well – all good things for me to remember. Thanks for an insightful post!
Kari Scare
Praise… Thanksgiving… God's Perspective… Know your "why"… God has given us all we need in His word to stay determined, hasn't He? I just love how complete His Word is. I love how the OT has come alive to show so much about Him too. God is SO good!
Barb
Wow – I just checked out the list of Paul's prayers – that's great! Thank you for that resource!
Kari Scare
I'm glad it was helpful to you too! Paul wrote so much that I like when it is sectioned out like this.
@Vaderalman
Kari,
All great points here. Our feelings will have us swing all over the place and our desire to do what we should do will wax and wane with them. I like to think that we have to have "the discipline of the mundane" to counter this. When we are faced with the daily grind, when we don't feel great, when the minutiae wears and grates on us then we have to be disciplined to do what it right to be successful.
When people see a half finished product that someone has quit on that do not comment on how much work someone did to get to that point they always are lamenting it was not finished. We do not want to spend our time and efforts on uncompleted task; and uncompleted dreams. Do those things you mention above and stay the course to the end.
Kari Scare
Feelings so often lead us astray, but God's Word never does. I need to ground myself in scripture more just for that reason alone. Just refusing to give up is half if not more of the battle sometimes. God never gives up on us, which is such motivation for me to not give up in life either.
Deb
This is great Kari, I think my struggle comes in my knowing my "why." Rarely is my "why" something that is simple between the Lord and me. My "why" is usually motivated by what other people will think. I want to be well-liked with a high approval rating. Those can be strong motivators initially, but not the best for lasting improvement. Working on making God's glory my primary goal. He will give me everything else I need after that.
Kari Scare
The more I focus on God and His glory, the less the world tends to affect me. His Word is such a calming place for me. Spending time there just makes all those outside pressures and expectations and whatever just fall away. He definitely gives you everything you need!
lorenpinilis
One of the things that helps me stay determined is to remind myself that the determination comes from the Spirit working in me. For me personally, that tends to give me a second wind.
Kari Scare
Totally with you on this one Loren! Without the working of the Holy Spirit in my life in all areas including staying determined, I fall WAY short. Great point!