“Faith consists in believing  
when it is beyond
the power of reason  
to believe.”
Voltaire

I was reading a book recently when I came across a word with which I was unfamiliar: pertinacity. Of course, I referred to a dictionary for the meaning of the word: a quality of sticking with something, no matter what. Pertinacity is a form of persistent determination which empowers individuals to stick with things doggedly, even when the situation is challenging. I immediately recognized five areas of my life in which pertinacity plays, or has played, a key role.

Marriage, and raising children, requires pertinacity. The concept of two unique individuals, each with their own history and agenda, becoming one couple, committed to loving each other and working collaboratively for the remainder of their lives, is a monumental challenge. Likewise, raising children who, at some point, will inevitably embrace the developmental task of seeking autonomy and move on with their own lives, requires persistent determination and a willingness to let go at the appropriate time. This is no easy task.

Getting and/or staying physically fit is another endeavor which requires pertinacity. In my younger years, maintaining a healthy body took little effort on my part. Despite the fact that my nutrition habits were abysmal, I was able to maintain a healthy weight due to my level of activity. I played basketball, tennis, and golf quite regularly. I rode my 10-speed bike for both convenience and pleasure. The late-night runs to Round Table Pizza didn’t seem to have an adverse effect on my body. As I got older, however, and my level of physical activity waned, my poor eating habits caught up with me. Only recently have I made getting back into shape a top priority for myself. To maintain this level of physical fitness will require a healthy dose of pertinacity.

It’s unfortunate, but many people find themselves employed in work places which are less than ideal. I know I did. While the option to walk away from the job might be available, there are times when the job itself is more of a calling than just a job. It’s possible for an employee to believe that he is in the right place even when the situation around him is toxic. To remain in this type of situation, and to stay motivated to continue to give one’s best to their work, requires the gift of pertinacity.

Much has changed in the world during my lifetime. Many of the changes have been positive and life-changing in a good way. Other changes, however, can be difficult to accept. Having grown up in San Francisco in the 1960’s, it is heartbreaking to see how The City has deteriorated in so many ways. The significant increase in homelessness and crime, and the erosion of basic practices of civility are heartbreaking. Staying positive and maintaining a sense of gratitude can be daunting tasks. Despite the cultural demise of my hometown, a level of pertinacity can assist us in maintaining perspective.

Finally, it seems that we are all confronted with events in our lives which cause us to ask why a particular thing happened or why things are the way they are. For some, this might cause a bit of a crisis of faith. So often, people ask, “How can God allow this to happen?” In the midst of tragedy, it can be challenging to maintain our faith in a loving and compassionate God. This is where pertinacity comes in: a quality of sticking with something, no matter what. Yes, there are times when we are blindsided by hardships in life. Although it’s not easy, it is essential that we persist in our conviction that God loves us more than we will ever comprehend. 

Pertinacity. It’s a great word.