Proverbs 24:16 Meaning: The Power of Grit and Getting Back on Your Horse

Growing up, I was always drawn to the tough, resilient characters that embodied grit. The kind of characters not just with strength but unwavering faith and one that doesn’t give up, no matter how hard life gets. Personally, one of the most iconic figures of this type of grit was John Wayne.

My Papa was a huge fan of the Duke, and when I was young, I remember sitting by his side, watching old classic John Wayne films and many cowboy westerns of people who, to put it simply, had GRIT!

There was something magnetic about the way John Wayne portrayed grit and strength, not just physical strength but mental and emotional toughness. His characters always seemed to embody an attitude of perseverance, no matter the odds. The more I watched his films, the older I got and the more life experiences (good and bad) I experienced the more I began to appreciate this quality of grit—a quality that, in many ways, became a cornerstone of how I approached life.

Proverbs 24:16 Meaning – Grit

This concept of grit and the ability to keep pushing forward, even when it seems like everything is against you—is exactly what I see in the verse Proverbs 24:16, which says:

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”(NIV)

Much like characters that represent true grit, the righteous in this verse are portrayed as resilient individuals who face setbacks but always rise again. To me, it’s about refusing to stay down, no matter how many times life knocks you off your feet, or what I like to say, knocks you off your horse. I think this is the kind of grit my Papa admired in John Wayne, and it’s the kind of grit we’re called to cultivate in our own lives, especially when times get tough.

In this post, we’ll dive deeper into the personal meaning of Proverbs 24:16 and how it aligns with the concept of grit—the strength to get back on your horse after falling off, just like Wayne’s characters would do in those Western films.

Whether you’re facing personal struggles, setbacks, or even failures, the power to rise again lies in having the resilience to keep going—no matter how many times you fall.

What Does Proverbs 24:16 Mean?

The verse Proverbs 24:16 states:

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”(NIV)

This powerful verse reveals an important principle about life: those who are righteous or faithful may fall, but they always rise again.

It acknowledges that setbacks and failures are inevitable, but what defines a person’s character is their ability to get back up after they fall. In contrast, the wicked—those who live without integrity or trust in God—may struggle to recover when faced with difficulty.

Key Takeaways from Proverbs 24:16

Setbacks Are Inevitable: Life is full of challenges and struggles, and falling is a part of the journey.
Resilience Is Key: The true measure of a person’s strength lies not in avoiding failure, but in the ability to rise again after falling.
Faith and Trust: Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that our faith and reliance on God give us the strength to stand up and keep moving forward, even after facing hardship.

The essence of this verse teaches us about grit—the resilience to keep going when everything seems to be falling apart.

What Is Grit?

Grit is the mental strength and perseverance that allows us to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity. It’s about maintaining effort and passion for long-term goals, despite challenges, obstacles, or failures. Grit is not about quick fixes or easy paths; it’s about staying committed and resilient when times are tough. Or, as my Papa would so eloquently put it, “Baby girl, it’s okay if you get knocked off that horse; just make sure you get back on!”

The Concept of “Getting Back on Your Horse”

In the metaphorical sense, getting back on your horse refers to the idea of not staying down after a fall. When a rider falls off their horse, they must muster the courage and determination to get back up, mount the horse, and continue the ride. Similarly, life will throw us off track at times, but what matters is how we respond.

The Importance of Grit in Faith

For the believer, grit is not just about sheer willpower or self-determination—it is deeply connected to our faith in God. Proverbs 24:16 encourages us to rely on God’s strength to rise again after every failure. When we fall, it’s important to remember that God is with us, providing the strength and guidance we need to rise. We honor God, by getting back on that horse, again and again!

How Faith and Grit Intersect:

God’s Strength in Weakness: 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us that God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness. When we face challenges, God’s grace strengthens us to persevere. God wants us to lean and cling onto him, he knows our strength, he knows what we can take! If you are going through it, God will help push you through it.
Trust in God’s Plan: Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our understanding. Faith allows us to trust that our setbacks are part of God’s greater plan.
God’s Promise of Hope: In Romans 8:28, we are reminded that all things work together for good for those who love God. Even the toughest moments can lead to growth and spiritual maturity when we trust in God’s purpose.

Incorporating grit into our lives means relying on God’s guidance and wisdom to give us the strength to rise and persevere, knowing that He is working in us and through us. Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that resilience is a key attribute of the righteous, and that through God’s power, we can always rise again, no matter how many times we fall.

Remember that God is forming you into the wonderful, beautiful and amazing being that he created and sometimes in that formation process, it requires the creation of grit!

Building Grit in Your Life

How do you build grit in your life? Well, to put it simply, you have to be willing to get knocked off that horse! We all have free will and choices, so that said, we all have the free will to “play it safe” in life. Playing it “safe” can look like choosing not to take chances, like launching a business you have dreaming about…or choosing not to go out on a limb, like reaching out to an old friend/family member you had a quarrel with because you are afraid of what the will say, choosing not to fall in love, to protect yourself from the chance of getting hurt again, Or perhaps it’s staying in a job you dislike because you’re too afraid to take the leap into something new, even though you know it’s what you truly want. Getting on the horse and having the courage to head into these obstacles of life is scary, but its what gives us grit, its what forms us and sharpens us!

Steps to building Grit in our Lives:

1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset encourages resilience because you see failure as a stepping stone to learning and improvement, not as a permanent defeat.

2. Develop Healthy Habits of Persistence

Persistence is a key element of grit. Cultivate habits that support perseverance, like staying organized, maintaining a positive attitude, and seeking help or encouragement when needed. Keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.

3. Surround Yourself with Support

Having a support system of friends, family, or mentors who encourage you is essential in building grit. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Find people who will lift you up when you fall and help you get back on track.

4. Pray for Strength

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools for building grit. Ask God to give you strength and perseverance when you feel weary. Trust in His promises and remember that He is with you through every trial. Always remember that Jesus LOVES You and is ALWAYS there; he is cheering us on when we are jumping high and giving us his hand when we are low.

Rising Again with Grit

Proverbs 24:16 teaches us that while failure and setbacks are inevitable, our ability to rise again after falling is what truly defines us. Just like the metaphor of getting back on your horse, life’s challenges are meant to be faced with resilience, determination, and a steadfast commitment to our long-term goals.

Grit is not simply about working harder; it’s about working smarter and trusting in God’s strength to keep going when things get tough. As you face life’s challenges, remember that with faith and perseverance, you can always rise again, no matter how many times you fall.

Life is full of challenges, and whether it’s a personal struggle, a career setback, a heartbreak or an unexpected hardship, it’s easy to feel knocked down and ready to give up. The Lord knows, I have been kicked off, knocked off, thrown off and chucked off my horse, MANY MANY times in my life… through the years, I have learned through life experiences, pain, and wisdom that with Jesus, I have the power always to get back on my horse and rise again.

Keep this truth in mind: Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.

So, get on your horse, take the leap, take the chance, fall in love, fail, look silly, have fun, cry, be in pain and laugh till your sides hurt… and know no matter what happens and if and when you get chucked and thrown off that horse of yours, remember God is right there to pick you up!

So saddle up, my friend, let’s ride!

“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”

– John Wayne

Proverbs 24:16 Meaning: The Power of Grit and Getting Back on Your Horse

Proverbs 24:16 Meaning – Grit