Through the Dip: Persevering When Progress Slows
A practical Christian study of “Through the Dip: Persevering When Progress Slows,” with clear application for faith, relationships, and everyday life.
Through The Dip
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
Identify what matters
Well, that night, Summer had already laid down, done some reading, and gone to bed, and every light in the house was out except the one that was shining on that book, and I read all 74 pages right there that first night. Once I started to see the dip as a reality in nearly every part of my life, I was inquisitive as to how to know when to keep pushing and when to quit, and I found the ideas laid out in this book super helpful.
Although I would say it's a business application book, it's the evaluation of the dip as part of the process in building a business or pushing on towards excellence in a field, which is great.
See the obstacles
I want you to imagine this line graph, it's come back down about halfway, but it begins to level off, and then at some point, through sheer effort and continual passion, it starts to turn upwards again, and then it goes all the way off the top right hand side of the page. The first time adversity comes, they fall back on old habits, which means less effort, and they never get to see what happens when you persevere through it.
But the people in life who are truly successful, people who have excellent businesses that everybody wants, let them tell you their story.
Move from intention to action
So listen, whatever effort you've put forth for spiritual gain, if it is something that you know pleases God, if it's improving your marriage, if it's improving your daily Bible study, if it's improving your willingness to spread the gospel, if it's changing your attitude or watching your language or attending services more, listen, it's going to feel great at first. Some people live their lives chasing the immediate high and never really amounting to much.
Because there is this leveling off and maybe even a bit of discouragement process where it's not exactly what you thought it would be, and that energy begins to wear off, and most people stop moving.
Keep building
It really isn't going to do you any good to press through because you don't have the skills or ability at that time to do it. And yeah, if it's something that doesn't matter to God whether you do or do not do it, and you just aren't able, well quit and go find something that you can do.
They get injured as a freshman and they just don't want to do all the work and they don't feel like they're good enough, they're in the dip, and so they quit.
Take the idea with you.
- 01Where do I see the problem or opportunity described in “Through the Dip: Persevering When Progress Slows” in my own life?
- 02What Scripture or spiritual principle in this study most needs my attention?
- 03What one specific change can I make this week to put this teaching into practice?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.