A Failure is Never the End

Our world is a very strange place. Up is down and down is up. Take, for example, the issue of making mistakes. Every good teacher knows it is essential students make mistakes – that’s the best way to learn. Quite frankly, we learn very little from our successes, aside from thinking how good we are. Yes, it sometimes hurts to make mistakes, particularly when those around us lack the maturity to think clearly and taunt those who are trying to learn. Even the Bible, Yahveh’s life instructions for our lives, teaches us mistakes and failures are an integral part of life.

Jeremiah 8:4 shares with us: You are to tell them that Adonai says: ‘If a person falls, doesn’t he get up again? If someone goes astray, doesn’t he turn back? There is an assumption herein which leads us to the understanding God sees mistakes, errors and failure as quite natural. If He, the Ruler of the Universe, can do this, why can’t we?

The only thing standing in the way of our learning from our mistakes is ego – pride. What will others think? What will they say about me behind my back? How will this affect my career? And so on. What does it matter what other people think, when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords knows you and accepts you, warts and all? Is His opinion of lesser value than our peers? Many people think so, obviously.

Speaking with those of us who try, even though we have little success, Adonai Yeshua assures: I know what you are doing. Look, I have put in front of you an open door, and no one can shut it. I know that you have but little power, yet you have obeyed my message and have not disowned me. Does this not give us comfort? Does this not fill our hearts with encouragement that our Messiah recognizes our attempts to do the right thing?

Beloved, when you make a mistake and need to do something again, take heart; you are going through a learning experience, sanctioned by none other than the Ruler of the Universe and the Lover of our Souls. There is no one more important in our lives than Him.

CONSIDER: Do you look forward to making mistakes, when you try something new, or do you cringe, when considering making a mistake, thinking it makes you less? If making mistakes causes you anxiety, look within yourself and ask the Living God to help you reframe your perspective on mistakes.

ACT: The reframing process is looking at something from a different perspective. We stop and ask ourselves, what might this sound, if I word this statement differently. Instead of saying, “I messed up, what a terrible . . . I am.” Try saying, “What have I learned from this mistake? How might I do it differently next time?”

PRAY: Abba B’Shamayim, Beloved Father, I do desire to do thinks well and right. However, I know I make mistakes. Please help me to understand the role mistakes play in my life. Help me, please, to learn and grow from each attempt. In Your Blessed Name, I pray.

May the God of Avraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you richly.