Failure scares many of us. Failed relationships, marriages, businesses, etc. No one can argue that these things, and many more like them, can frighten even the most hardened soul. One thing to keep in mind is that failures only occur if one makes an attempt at something. If we try nothing, that's exactly what we gain: Nothing!
For example, it's said that Thomas Edison performed 50,000 experiments before he succeeded in producing a storage battery. Bill Gates (Microsoft) was a Harvard dropout. Albert Einstein himself, could not speak fluently until the age of nine. His rebellious nature led to expulsion from school, and he was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School.
Of course, these are only a few names of "famous" failures. And though their situations, locations, and period in history were different, there is something they all have in common. Certainly they might have felt disappointed and discouraged. But, they did not let failure hold them back.
This is an important point for the Christian to keep in mind. Look, we're human and from time to time we're going to experience failure. Being a Christian does not shield us from failure any more than anyone else. This especially relates to our religious lives, which some may have a hard time understanding.
Maybe you think that your own relationship with God is a failure, or a total wash-out, and perhaps it's time to cut your losses and move on, Don't do anything hasty! Some of the biggest names in the Bible experienced failure, yet managed to go on to bigger and better things with God.
Jacob (Genesis 27:19); Moses (Exodus 2:12); David (2 Samuel 11:4); Paul (Acts 9:4); and Peter (John 18:25) failed God in their lives, yet bounced back even stronger. When you become a believer you do not become immune to failure. And if you've been told otherwise, it simply is not true.
Failure is a sign that we're not perfect. Let's face it, if we were perfect we wouldn't be in the mess we're in. God recognizes this and even allows failure in our lives. He never promised life to be without problems, sorrow, or failure just because we believe in and follow Him. Look at the folks I just mentioned above!
I began this message by pointing out the fear factor in failure. Our first reaction to something that frightens us might be to run (or hide)! Well, that won't work with God who knows and sees all (Hebrew 4:13). Fortunately, God, in his love and mercy for us, has helped us out with our failures and weaknesses.
Our failures and weaknesses are a cover-up for a bigger problem. This problem is the root of our spiritual failure. I think you know what it is: Sin. They say that it's important to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward when dealing with failure.
That's why God sent us help in His Son, who died for our sins. He knows how important it is to our spiritual lives to get back on our feet after we have failed (Proverbs 24:16). We cannot do this on our own. Only by following, and clinging onto Our Savior will we be able to truly withstand our bouts with failure.
Only He can turn our failures into successes because He controls everything (Psalm 24:1). Only He can strengthen us in our weakness (Philippians 4:11-13). As long as we reside in this world there will be times of failure. But, we have been assured an ultimate victory over temptation and sin in Jesus Christ. Our complete victory, however, awaits us when we are safely in His loving embrace in heaven.
Scripture: Psalm 73:26; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 55:22; Jeremiah 29:11
Prayer: Dear Lord, no matter if I am feeling down, dejected, unwanted, or unloved; I know that You never see me that way. You always see the best part of me that lies just under the surface of my human frailty. Thank you for helping me to my feet and setting me back on track again. Amen
Have a blessed day!
J.J.
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