May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another… that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Romans 15:5–6 (ESV)
A long time ago, in a farming community far, far away…
But seriously, folks. I grew up in a small Midwestern American town built upon loyalty, hard work, and grit. These values were passed on through slogans spoken by our coaches, pastors, teachers, and parents. Of course I could be wrong, but it seemed like every single older individual was on the same team, channeling one simple message. “Rub some dirt on it,” the football coach demanded after I got my bell rung. As we were bailing hay, over the roar of the tractor engine, the boss exclaimed, “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” And all those times I felt like pouting, giving up, or feeling sorry for myself, I heard, “Lift your chin up.” My mom would correct me by saying it straight: “Remember, you are a Rasmussen.”
Grit is necessary because we live in a fallen and broken world. Seldom are things easy; rarely are things quick. A life worth living always requires dedication, effort, and perseverance.
In positive psychology, grit is not defined as talent or intelligence, but the sustained pursuit of a meaningful goal over time. One study by A. L. Duckworth et al. shows us that gritty individuals often outperform their peers in school, sports, and life—even when they lack natural aptitude. The military, especially through programs like the U.S. Army’s Master Resilience Training, intentionally cultivates grit by emphasizing growth mindset, purpose, and deliberate practice (Duckworth et al.).
Scripture affirms these insights. Romans 15:5 describes God as the “God of endurance and encouragement,” showing that perseverance is a gift from the Lord. Scripture urges believers to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1). Paul’s own life exemplifies commitment to Christ in the face of pain (2 Cor. 11:24–28). We can conclude that for the Christian, grit is not just a natural trait—it’s a fruit of the Spirit working through personal discipline while thriving in a supportive community.
Hollywood gets many, many things wrong, but every once in a while, it provides praiseworthy contributions (Phil. 4:8). Thank you, Rocky Balboa; my hat is off to you, Luke Skywalker. You captured my young imagination. When you endured those grueling regiments set up by Mickey and Yoda, I was watching and learning. But above all, I felt inspired. Your story was the same story—whether set in Philadelphia or Dagoba—and then it became my story. This Iowa boy became a true believer in grit.
Sports films provide emotionally charged, narrative-driven contexts where perseverance triumphs over hardship.
Let’s find some films that will help us teach grit to a new generation. Sports films provide emotionally charged, narrative-driven contexts where perseverance triumphs over hardship. In this article, I offer McFarland, USA (2015) as a primary case study for modeling grit in faith-based classrooms, followed by applications from The Boys in the Boat (2023) and Unstoppable (2024). Through these stories, students can reflect on endurance, examine their own goals, and learn that sustained effort, grounded in purpose, leads to flourishing.
McFarland, USA: A Model for Teaching Grit
Set in a predominantly Latino farming town in California, McFarland, USA tells the true story of Coach Jim White and a group of boys who rise from obscurity to win the 1987 California state cross-country championship. But this is not a typical underdog story. What makes McFarland so compelling is its portrayal of grit in the face of systemic obstacles—poverty, labor expectations, racial stereotypes—and the spiritual and communal transformation that results from endurance.
What makes McFarland so compelling is its portrayal of grit in the face of systemic obstacles—poverty, labor expectations, racial stereotypes—and the spiritual and communal transformation that results from endurance.
Passion and Perseverance
Duckworth’s grit model focuses on two dimensions: passion (sustained interest) and perseverance (effort over time). McFarland displays both through the characters’ growth. Thomas Valles, the team’s fastest runner, nearly quits due to family trauma. His decision to stay with the team after Coach White reaches out to him reflects grit forged through hardship, not despite it. “There’s nothing you can’t do with that kind of strength, with that kind of heart,” Coach White tells the boys before the final big race (1:52).
Coach White himself undergoes a transformation. Initially reluctant to remain in McFarland, he sacrifices ambition for purpose, rooting himself in the lives of the boys and their families. His choice to persevere—even when easier jobs beckon—models grit as commitment to a higher calling.
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Works Cited
Brown, Daniel James. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Viking, 2013.
Caro, Niki, director. McFarland, USA. Walt Disney Pictures, 2015.
Clooney, George, director. The Boys in the Boat. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 2023.
Duckworth, Angela L., Peterson, Christopher., Matthews, Michael D., and Kelly, Dennis R. Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 92, no. 6, 2007, pp. 1087–1101.
Goldenberg, William, director. Unstoppable. Amazon MGM, 2024.
Seligman, Martin. Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being. Free Press, 2011.
Adam Rasmussen, PhD, joyfully serves as the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Arizona Christian University, where he inspires students to seek connections between faith, reason, and culture as they flourish under the Lordship of Christ in all of life.