Rethinking Failure

Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.

Proverbs 24:16

You can probably think of a failure or two in your life. Perhaps, if you’re like most people, those failures seem to replay on a loop in your head when you least expect them to. Despite what the world, the voice inside your head, or the Enemy himself may tell you, failure is not an entirely bad thing. Really!

You will falter, fumble, and fail in life, but failing at something does not make you a failure. Failure is not final—unless you choose to not get back up. The key to growing from failure is refusing to quit.

The same goes for your life of unshakeable faith. It’s not so much about what you accomplish for God, but that you are becoming more like Jesus. When you bring your failure before God, He reminds you to live with humility and in reliance on Him.

Champions fall, and champions fail. They stumble, but then they reach for help. They flee, but they return. They strike out in anger, but they accept rebuke and correction. Champions are never perfect. Only Jesus is perfect. But champions press on. They persevere. They will not be stopped. They know that God builds their character through adversity. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Lord, I’ll gladly take the scrapes and bruises if they mean I’m closer to victory in You. Thank You, trustworthy God, for using my failures for my good and Your glory.