I was talking with my former assistant and close friend, Erika. In the middle of our conversation, she asked me a question that made me pause:
“What is it within you that creates that tenacity you have? What drives that?”
I didn’t have a polished answer ready.
I thought about it for a moment, and then I said the only thing that felt true:
“Once I’ve heard from God on something… or even begin to sense His direction… that’s all I need to pursue it. Come what may.”
She immediately said, “That’s so good. You need to talk more about that.”
So here I am.
Tenacity doesn’t come from personality…it comes from conviction
People sometimes assume tenacity is a personality trait.
That some people are just naturally driven, resilient, or wired to push through.
But that’s not the whole story.
Because I have felt tired, discouraged, misunderstood and tempted to quit.
Tenacity, for me, isn’t the absence of those things.
It’s what remains after all of that shows up.
And what remains is this: “But I know what God said.”
Clarity changes everything
There is a difference between striving to make something happen and responding to something God has already spoken.
When you are striving, you are fueled by pressure.
When you are responding, you are anchored by purpose.
That doesn’t make the road easy.
But it does make it clear.
And clarity will carry you farther than motivation ever will.
You don’t need the whole picture
What you need is direction.
Most of the time, God doesn’t give the whole blueprint.
He gives a sense.
A nudge.
A direction.
And then He watches to see if we will trust Him enough to move.
Tenacity is often born in that space.
Not in certainty, but in trust.
What drives you?
What drives you matters more than how strong you are.
If you drive comes from proving something, pleasing people or fear of failure, it won’t last.
But when your drive comes from, “I believe God is in this…” it changes how you endure.
You don’t push forward because you’re strong.
You keep going because you’re convinced.
3 takeaways for leaders
1. Settle what God has said to you
You don’t need constant confirmation if you’ve already received direction. Go back to what was clear, and anchor yourself there.
2. Let conviction carry you when feelings fluctuate
Your emotions will rise and fall. Your circumstances will shift. But conviction gives you something steady to stand on.
3. Don’t wait for perfect clarity—move with what you have
If you sense God leading, take the next step. Tenacity often grows after you start moving, not before.
And finally…
Tenacity is not about being the strongest person in the room.
It’s about being the one who remembers what God said…
and refuses to let go of it.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when it’s unclear.
Even when it costs something.
Because once you’ve heard from Him, that’s enough.
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