Responding to Failure…
It is amazing how little we know about ourselves. God has to take us through all kinds of failures to reveal the pride and conceit that lies dormant in the corners of our character. The only way we can be of any use to God is to rightly respond to the disappointments that puncture our pride and hurt our heart . . . all for His purpose of placing us on the Ladder of Success!
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” -James 1:2–4
Biblical Examples of Failure
Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s inheritance.
“Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.’” -Genesis 27:19
Moses murdered an Egyptian.
“He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.” -Exodus 2:12
David committed adultery with Bathsheba.
“David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house.” -2 Samuel 11:4
Paul persecuted followers of Jesus.
“Falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’” -Acts 9:4
Peter denied knowing Jesus.
“Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, ‘You also are not one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’” -John 18:25
Key Verses to Memorize
“I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 3:13–14