Have you experienced failure lately? We all do at one time or another. When this happens, we want to throw in the towel and quit, but God is not finished. This week we’re looking at seven scriptures on failure and I’ve got some advice I’ve learned (am learning) along the way to empower you to keep on keepin’ on.
Sometimes you have to pause even during pandemics and riots to celebrate the good things happening. So, this week I want to give a shout out for the successful launch of a manned capsule into space. This success spoke volumes deep in my spirit. God whispered, Successful people don’t stop trying. Don’t let failure stop you.
When we watch amazing feats like SpaceX and NASA flying two astronauts to the international space station, we rarely consider how long they worked or how many failures happened along the way. Watch this video from SpaceX on How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster.
Elon Musk and his engineer team kept moving forward. But I’m sure they would tell you they always made changes to their next attempt. (One of those engineers is my brother-in-law. So proud of you, Dean!) Failure should not stop us, but it should make us take a step back and reevaluate how to do something more effectively or efficiently.
Failure is not Final
In grade school I dreamed of being a rocket scientist. Okay, that thought sends me ROTFL now (rolling on the floor laughing.) Math hated me, and I wasn’t fond of it either. But look where my failure with numbers sent me. I am a lover of words and The Word. Failure in Algrebra II (actually I made a C) was not final. Failure opened a window, a re- focus, clarity of who I am and my purpose in this world.
As a result of struggling with math, my rocket-woman dreams fizzled out. Rather than banging my head against the desk trying to understand formulas, I moved on. Sometimes failure requires trying again with adjustments to your strategy, but other times it sends us in a new direction. And that, my friends, is important to remember.
Biblical Failures
Fortunately, the Bible is not full of perfect people. On the contrary, even giants of faith failed during their life-time. There are two reasons this is important.
- Imperfect, failing saints give us hope. We aren’t alone when we miss the landing pad.
- God never gave up on them. He was always there to encourage and redirect.
For example, King David committed adultery and murder. Elijah believed he had failed and asked to die under the broom tree. And Peter denied Jesus THREE times. Those are epic fails, but God never gave up on these men. And He won’t give up on you and me either. Eric Schenkel penned this wisdom his article entitled 5 Biblical Characters Who Prove That Failure Isn’t Final:
” The only way that failure can get the last word in our life is if we choose to let it. We serve a God who is able to take our defeats and missteps and still use us to bring glory to his name. “
JesusFilm.org
My Share of Failed Dreams
Oh my friends, I’ve had my share of failures. I do believe God’s economy is not ours, and what often looks like failure to us is not a fail in God’s eyes, but that doesn’t negate our discouragement.
With all my failures I find it helps to pray for eternal perspective, God to redeem, and the strength to continue forward. This summer I’ve felt a shift in my spirit and my vision. I’m wondering if you have too. Has more time alone during the quarantine given you time to pause and reevaluate your busy life, hopes and dreams?
Seeking God in my Defeat
So, here’s the deal. We will experience failure. But I’m here today to tell you not to quit. You may need to quit something that’s not working. You may need to release yourself from a commitment and take some time off from the dream. God may be directing you another direction opposite of where you thought you were supposed to go. Will you step out in faith? Will you trust him?
Seeking God through the Scriptures is key during a time of refocus and change. When you’re discouraged and downhearted, cheer up my friend! God is with you. Trust His goodness and kindness, and dig deep into the Bible for clarity and encouragement. Join me this week studying seven verses on failure.
Bite of Bread Reading Plan on Failure (Printable Here)
Isaiah 41:9-10
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Prompt: God has not rejected you. He is a God of many chances, a God who’s called us to be His servant. Take your eyes off your failures, and spend sometime studying who you are in Christ. Pray for the Lord to strengthen you and for eyes to see a different way toward your goal.
Philippians 3: 13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Prompt: Stop looking in the past. Don’t follow the same steps you took when you failed. Ask God to help you think outside the box. And keep an eternal perspective.
Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Prompt: “Compassions” was translated from chesed. God’s chesed NEVER fails. Though we fail, His faithful loving kindness and help never will. If you feel like you’ve failed, wait on Him. If you want to know more about chesed, work through my Ruth Bible Study.
Micah 7:8
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.
Prompt: Don’t listen to the enemy’s accusations. He wants you to believe God is disappointed with you. These are dark feelings. But the Lord is your light. Ask Him to pick you up and light the new way. Ask Him to give you your own scripture regarding your failure and hope.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Prompt: Close your eyes and picture yourself grabbing God’s hand. Don’t take one step without talking to Him first. You are not alone.
Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Prompt: Are you one who delights in the Lord? Spend time everyday just worshiping Him. Go watch a beautiful sunset and notice how He paints the sky. Delight in His art.
Revelation 3:8
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Prompt: This is such an exciting scripture. When God opens a door, NO ONE CAN SHUT IT! In John’s vision, Jesus speaks these words to the church in Philadelphia. Philia love is love for one another, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbors, even loving our enemies. In your quest to fulfill your purpose or goal, don’t forget to love your brothers and sisters along the way. They are on your team ministering for the Kingdom of God.
Don’t Quit
I don’t know your dream. I don’t know what God has called you too, and what you feel like you’ve failed in. But I know this. Our God loves us. When our children fall down and scrape their knee, we pick them up and tell them to try again; don’t we? I think God wants me to tell you today to try again.
Hold His hand. Ask His direction. Don’t do it the same way you did it before or the way everyone is telling you. The world is changing all the time. We must change with it holding onto the One who opens doors no man can shut.
I’m praying for you!
Digging Deep,
Andy
PS. There will not be a Live FAcebook teaching this week. My seniors are graduating!
[…] week, I wrote about failure. At one point in all our lives we face the “f” word. Perhaps because of the focus on […]
LOL! So funny. Thanks Sandy. I’m glad we’re both word people. :)
Excellent, excellent, excellent! All these years and I never knew you wanted to be a rocket scientist! If you were we’d never be friends because math doesn’t like me and I don’t like it (as you wisely said ) :)