Facing Failure with Faith

Facing

failure with faith

AILURE IS one of the major things that bombard us today. Everyone wants to be a success, but the reality is in life we are going to face failure. Whether in our work, marriage, children and friendships, even those things that we do manage to achieve often disappoint us.

Our society looks at any form of failure with scorn. We see it as the worst thing that could happen to us. As a result, the fear of failure has left many people paralysed, and have robbed them of their true destiny. People believe if they fail they are no good.

We need to change our mindset about failure. Most of the great leaders in Scriptures at some time in their careers experienced some sort of failure; Abraham, Moses, King David and the Apostle Peter failed. Peter, in spite of his self-confidence, denied the Lord three times.

tools for learning success

There is a fundamental principle here. Sometimes God must use our failures to bring about success in us. This is not to make excuses for sin or to place a premium on our mistakes or failures, but our failures, can become tools of learning to success. The Bible says we are all sinners and prone to failure, but in Christ we can become overcomers. Romans 8:35-37; ?35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution...37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.?

When Peter failed Jesus, Matthew 26:75 tells us that he wept bitterly. No matter how strong you are, if you fail at something that is important to you, you are going to be faced with a barrage of emotions that may make you want to quit. These emotions start with shock, then fear, anger, blame, and then shame, which are all natural and healthy, but the danger is when you get stuck at one of them. Getting stuck hinders your full potential and will determine your future.

In order to face the emotions that come at you after you have failed, you need to surround yourself with Godly people, people that will uplift and encourage you. And most importantly you have to go to Jesus with your failure; He will bring the healing needed. Hebrews 4:15-16: ?15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses...and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.?

God sees new opportunity

God often sees failure as a new opportunity to build an even closer relationship with you. There are revelations about God you can only get in failure. ?If the Lord delights in a man?s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.? Psalm 37:23-24.

Failure is also an integral part of our growth, it highlights areas in which we need to grow to allow us to become stronger and wiser. God is always ready to use our biggest failures and turn them into something good. ?God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.? Romans 8:28.

Therefore, when you give your failure over to God, in exchange, He will give you faith to overcome your fears and to keep moving forward. ?The Godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.? Proverbs 24:16.

What failure are you facing today? If you will hand it over to God, He will give you His grace, but you have to step out of the shadows and move into His light.

Dwight Fletcher is pastor of Transformed Life Church. Send feedback to familyandreligion@gmail.com.