White knuckle grip of death

Boldness, Encouragement, God's provision, Good News, Jesus, Victory, Witnessing 1 Minute

Last winter I did a post about my white knuckle grip of death drive home in a white-out blizzard. My hands were holding the steering wheel so tightly, my knuckles were white. I had no other choice but to continue the drive, as the visibility was zero, and there was no safe place to turn around to go back to town. You know, those moments when you are afraid but you do it anyways.

So when I heard about a concept of the Finnish people, I was fascinated and knew it would be my next post.

The word is Sisu, and can be described as fierce determination, tenacity of purpose, white knuckled grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness. It is held by Finns to express their national character.


Sisu is extraordinary determination in the face of extreme adversity, and courage that is presented typically in situations where success is unlikely. It expresses itself in taking action against the odds, and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity; in other words, deciding on a course of action, and then adhering to it even if repeated failures ensue.

That’s how I want to live my life as a Christian. Standing firm, no matter the cost. Never giving up in my pursuit of Jesus and furthering His Kingdom. Because, ultimately, I cannot be sisu without God’s mighty power flowing through me.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 [ESV])

“Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God.” (Ps. 27:13-14 [MSG])

Let’s live bold and unhindered. (Acts 28:31) Let’s all be sisu in 2024!

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Published by God Still Speaks

I am a follower of Jesus with an insatiable hunger for the Word of God! I am doing my best to be obedient in sharing what I learn with others, with my own unique spin, using the way God made me, linear with a twist!

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29 thoughts on “White knuckle grip of death”

  3. This is wonderful, especially since the world isn’t always overly friendly to those who follow God’s ways. I’ve found my Sisu while long distance running. Like driving in white out conditions, you can’t turn back (too far), and shouldn’t stop—unless you drop—because there’s no one coming to give you a lift.
    Added bonus: your post reminds me of a joke:

    The speaker at the prayer breakfast said, “I was going to bring you a big Finnish, but couldn’t find one. So, (holds up sweet roll) here’s a small Danish.”

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  9. I’ve been slowly reading “The Inner Voice of Love” by Henri Nouwen. Early on, he writes, “You must believe in the yes that comes back when you ask, ‘Do you love me?’ You must *choose* this yes even when you do not experience it.”….. “Keep saying, ‘God loves me, and God’s love is enough.’ You have to choose the solid place over and over again and return to it after every failure.” I think that is spiritual sisu, and I like it! Be sisu!

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  10. Pingback: White knuckle grip of death – QuietMomentsWithGod

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