Albert Einstein once said, “I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me my ideas.”
He’s saying, basically, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
He may have understated his intelligence and talent, but he does so to make a point: For more than any other reason, he was successful because he was persistent.
I’m no Einstein, but I can also say that whatever success I have experienced can be attributed to this same principle.
I can also say that my failures weren’t so much the result of a lack of talent or the lack of worthwhile goals; they were the result of quitting too soon.
Solomon said, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.” (Proverbs 24:16 NLT)
In our struggles with failure, need to remind ourselves — as often as necessary — that the difference between being wise and being a fool … being righteous and being unrighteous … often comes down to one’s willingness to get up and try again.
Have you fallen? Has it happened more than once?
Maybe you’ve been tempted to throw in the towel.
But remember: if a good idea is worth one good try, it’s worth a thousand more.
Take another look at the goal that God has given you. Then get up, and try again.
© 2017/2026. This post has been updated from a previous post.
