Failure is an event, not a destiny. This is good news because we all fail sooner or later, and if we are honest, we all fail over and over again.
It’s not our initial failure that ruins us. It’s what happens next that matters. It’s the art of self leadership that will determine the direction of the experience of failure.
It is only natural that we want to succeed in life. Isn't it wonderful when we achieve certain goals? As Christians it is especially inspiring when we see our hard labors blessed by God.
Yet so often we also experience failure in the Christian life. Sometimes it may appear to be failure when it is not and sometimes it is just plain failure.
We make mistakes. Yet even plain failure is important in the spiritual life. Without failure we would never learn. Without failure God would never be able to really begin His work within us.
This doesn't mean we should try to fail! God wants us to succeed -- but succeed His way, not necessarily on our terms. So when you fail even in a big way, remember that it's an opportunity to do things differently.
Experience has now taught me that when I fail, then lessons are learnt; how tragic for the one who fails and misses the lesson. If this be your case then there is a reason for worry.
When we have failed, especially when we have failed those we love the most; our mind becomes a swirl of emotions.
Embarrassment Anger Fear Shame
Despair.
Failure feels so bad because it directly affects our ego and sense of identity in relation to the world around us. We feel dirty and unworthy because we acted foolishly.
When we have hurt someone deeply, we want to know if they still love us or have we blown everything? Will they ever forgive me? Can I ever forgive myself?
If Failure lingers, one can feel ineffective, inadequate and isolated. Many people never realize that this stage of failure is only temporary and will pass. When it does, one ought to have taken advantage of the failure by analyzing what you could have done differently. Now that is power.
Since failure is an outcome of successive actions if you keep on doing things the same way you have done them before and expect different results then you are a fool.
Have you ever failed in some way and then been plagued by thoughts of the issue or event? Most of us have difficulty getting over large failures, but there are some ways to speed the recovery process.
It may sound simplistic, but simply taking stock of our successes can be a great way to get over a recent failure.
Lamentations 3:19-21I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left. [Message bible]
Go over the various memories and focus on the feeling or essence of what contributed to the success of each respective goal. Reminding ourselves what it feels like to succeed can be a wonderful tool that seems to help open one up for the possibility of success.
Faced with an ominous task of dealing with Goliath, David brings to memory his past success against such odds. He informs King Saul of his success with lions and Bears. If the Lord delivered him from these potential threats and failures, isn’t it obvious that He would deliver him again! O ye of little faith..
This is the kind of lesson we need to take home in every given situation in life. Have you noticed that we tend to remember our failures with more clarity than our successes? Not David.
Are you in need of a masterful solution to a problem or experience you are facing at the moment? Please take a moment to lock in and appreciate from whence God has brought you and the successes HE has given you.
Lamentations 3:21 But there is one other thing I remember, and remembering I keep a grip on hope
Throughout life much of what we experience is based on what we’ve experienced in the past. If we take the time to think more about success than failure, we will find more success than failure in our daily lives. By focusing on success we draw success to ourselves.
You really can’t fail at life, God cannot allow it! You current threatening failure will through a process of elimination teach you on what not to do if you ever want to succeed.
Pastor George H O Ochieng
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