The Year of Fortitude
For the life of me, I could not remember. No matter how much I tried, the word eluded. I scanned journals and notes and perused texts and emails, searching for the word. Finally, I found it. It was fortitude.
Word of the year
Every January, I spend time praying and asking God for a word that will embody the year. It may sound trite or trendy, but for the past five years, I have asked the Lord to provide a word that helps reveal how we will journey together and where I may need some spiritual adjustments and growth. After all, sanctification is always a work in progress.
2021’s word was fortitude. My first thought, that does not sound fun, my second thought, what exactly is fortitude? I won’t bore you with googled definitions and Latin origins. To sum it up, it is the building up of our physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional strength over time to remain steady and persevere in doing good as we face challenges, obstacles, disappointments, etc.
Exercising fortitude
A lot is revealed about our character and the condition of our hearts when we are exercising fortitude. Weaknesses have a way of being front and center, and sin can rear its ugly head when we least expect it. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy.”
The year of fortitude and the year of Ella are synonymous. It was a challenging year, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. However, it was a year for which I am most grateful, and one I would repeat in an instant.
I have a very long way to go, but lessons from Ella have helped me to grow in fortitude. Jesus didn’t make it up the hill to Calvary without the fullness and perfection of fortitude. We, too, need the accompaniment of a bit of fortitude if we are to climb our Calvary.
Year in review
When I look back on the year of fortitude, I am grateful for the many lessons. Here are a few:
Disappointments happen, persevere.
Perseverance grows when we decide not to toss in the towel.
Expectations are frequently unmet, adjust.
Tears flow; let them.
When physical exhaustion sets in, rest and then get back up.
Sin will emerge, confront it and confess it.
Self-awareness is key to the spiritual life; take stock of what you say and do.
It will be hard; life is hard; ask for help.
As this year of fortitude closes, I have realized my purpose was to bring Ella to this point in her training so she could get me to this point in mine, spiritual, that is.
I have often said, “I don’t know who was transformed more, Ella or me. I’m pretty sure it was me.”
Love it! Congratulations. Fortitude is a word personally for me 2021 and God has graced me with more opportunities to grow in fortitude in 2022!Progressing from wheelchair to walker slow but steady. This incident strengthening my faith and hope in God, family and dear friends like you, Leslie.
Thank you for sharing your heart and soul! Love you
Love you! Your determination and perseverance are an inspiration!
I like having a word for the year. My sister, Wilma, who is in heaven now, used to pick a word for the year. I thought it a bit odd but you have reinforced its significance. It’s not something that I can casually come up with. I need to pray and let God give me the areas I need to develop and improve upon. But one word has been coming up often this year. Obedience—-As Mary said at the weddin Cana, “Do whatever He tells you.” Maybe that is the Word of the Year for me.
Have you come up yet for your new Word for 2022?
Love what you shared. Somehow, the word does end up relating to the journey for that year. Thank you for sharing what you’ve heard and love the scripture passage. The word I heard for this year is still.
I love that you knew your word and lost it yet God never did and kept working it out “behind the scenes”. He’s so cool that way! I can’t wait to see how the two of you work out “still” this year! I am excited for you. Mine, for the year, is “wild abandon”-Oy! I might need to lean on your ‘still’ 😉
Love you dear friend!
“Wild abandon” love that! Thank you for sharing how the Lord has called you to journey with Him this year!