The famous NBA basketball player Michael Jordan once said:

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.“

Failure is a part of life. It’s something we have all experienced, and no one is immune. If you are like me, you have a list of things you have failed on in your work and ministry—things you could have done better, poor decisions you have made, and people you have hurt. But the questions I want to focus on are these:

  • How did you react when failure came your way?  
  • How do you handle setbacks in life without letting them crush your spirit?

Learning from Peter

While there are many examples of overcoming failure in the Bible, there is perhaps none more poignant than Peter. After boldly proclaiming that he would fight and defend Jesus (John 13:37), Peter, in the face of fear, denied Jesus at his most crucial moment. He failed miserably, and his bitter weeping (Luke 22:62) showed he was left facing his own human weakness. He was humbled and broken, but he didn’t stay there. The beauty of the story is that Peter rebounded!  He didn’t let his failure define him, and he recovered to become a powerful tool in God’s hands.

How do we recover like Peter?

Maybe you find yourself in Peter’s shoes today. If not today, there will certainly come a time when you will. If failure is knocking on your door, here are four things to realize that I pray will help you rebound and be restored towards success.

1) Problems are a part of life

Throughout the Bible we see story after story of trials, even in the life of those striving to obey!  Some are caused by our own weakness or pride, or even our own stupidity! Other times difficulties are not our fault, but involve circumstances beyond our control. Either way, we should expect to face failures and trials. [1]

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Ironically, it is Peter who writes these words of encouragement. If you are facing a failure, first recognize that you are not alone. We have all been humbled by failures, and it is possible to overcome and be restored.

2) Don’t run and hide; instead, stand and confront

This may be one of the most difficult parts of failures. When we fail, we want to hide in our pain and let the world fast forward a few hours or days, hoping that others will forget or the pain will miraculously disappear. While time does bring some healing, we also must learn to stand and confront our failures in order to learn from them. Do it alone in quiet or with a faithful friend, but confront your failure, admit your mistake, seek reconciliation if needed, and confess as the Bible instructs us to in 1 John 1:9.  This is the first step to bouncing back.

3) Help is with us

On the last night before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ encouraged His disciples by telling them, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). Because of the Holy Spirit we will never have to deal with our failure alone.

Peter remembered the promise of the Spirit, and that encouraged him during his crisis of failure. Peter went on to be a powerful leader at the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:4). When we stumble and have problems, we need to remember God can help us. If we cry out to our Father, in humble obedience to Him, willing to forsake our own will for His, He will guide us to recovery. [1]

4) God has plans for us

Growing through failures is a part of God’s plan. He created us, loves us and wants us to grow and be in His eternal family forever. If we submit to God’s rule over our lives, genuine overcoming becomes possible (Matthew 19:26).  

Part of God’s growth plan is for us to surrender to His will, seeking to understand the purpose of our problems through repentance and reflection and asking Him to empower us through the Holy Spirit to grow and do better next time.  It’s when we meet God in that place that our failures can be turned into success.  

Are you ready to rebound from your failure?

We will make mistakes. We will stumble and suffer in life. We will have problems, as long as we are in the flesh. But God tells us to face our trials and difficulties positively. In the end, it is not the setbacks that He is most concerned about. It is how well we bounce back! [1]

Growth Point:

Through God’s grace we can learn from our failures and turn them into growth and ultimately success.

Scripture Point:

Meditate on Psalms 119:71. How has this been true in your life?

Action Point:

Spend 10 minutes this week reflecting on your past failures.  How did you handle them, and have you grown from them? Talk to God about them. Make a list of three things you can learn from that failure that will help you better succeed next time.

 

Much of the content for this newsletter was taken from Rod McNair:

[1] https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2011/july-august/bounce-back