Don’t Be Put Off By Failures
Brother Felmar Serreno: From missed business opportunities to failed exams to poor life choices, failures—if we allow them—can take a heavy toll on our mindset and our future. So, for today, in this podcast version of God’s Message Magazine, our topic is: Don’t Be Put Off By Failures.
The way to success is not an easy trek. Obstacles and setbacks are to be expected. Riding a bike, as they say, is not always downhill—there are also uphill trails.
Indeed, we sometimes fail in what we do. And the sad thing about it is that we can’t go back in time to change the course of events. We are left to face the consequences of our mistakes whether or not you are brave enough to do so.
There are those who, when they do something wrong and fall short of what is expected of them, shy away from new challenges. They end up sulking rather than tapping their potentials, thereby missing many opportunities for personal growth and betterment. Meanwhile, some allow their past failures to drag them down until, one day, they find themselves pinned down, unable to get up from the slump. They could only wish that things would change for the better.
Although the fact remains that we can never turn back the hands of time, we can still do the best we can to make amends for the wrongs we have done. But first, we have to accept that we are susceptible to making mistakes. Let me quote for you what the Bible says here:
There is no one on earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake.
[Ecclesiastes 7:20 Good News Bible]
Brother Felmar Serreno: Even great people of yore had fallen short and had failed at certain instances in their lifetime. David had done wrong when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, Uriah (II Samuel 11:1-27); Moses failed to show a good example to Israel when he displayed lack of confidence in God by striking the rock at Meribah twice with Aaron’s staff instead of obeying God’s command to speak to the stone for water to come out to quench the thirst of the Israelites (Numbers 20:1-13); Samson made a grave mistake when he married and had relationship with non-Israelites that eventually led him to violate his Nazirite restrictions (Judges 14:1-3; 16:1-22); and even God’s servant Job admitted that he, too, had committed error (Job 19:4).
However, like those mentioned, we should not be put off by failures. Going back to David he paid dearly with the life of his child for the sins he committed. But instead of rebelling against God, David repented and accepted God’s punishment (II Samuel 12:1-15)—and David, he ended up being recognized as one of the greatest of the warrior kings of Israel. For Moses, Moses moved on from his mistake and continued to lead God’s nation—he presided over them until his death before they entered the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 32:45-52; 34:1-12). As for Samson, he repented and silently cried for God’s mercy—sacrificing his own life, Samson was able to slay his enemies and the enemies of Israel, the Philistines (Judges 16:23-31). And when it came to Job, well Job never turned from God despite the hardships that he suffered—he then received favor from God, who doubled his wealth and blessed him with children once again (Job 42:1-6, 10-17).
Instead of constantly blaming ourselves, we should realize that what happened then should serve as a learning experience for us. As such, we can avoid making the same mistakes again, make better decisions in the future, and lead better lives. By doing so, we have squeezed out something positive from our failures. The Bible reminds us, thus:
Once again give them this message from the Lord: ‘When a person falls, he jumps up again; when he is on the wrong road and discovers his mistake, he goes back to the fork where he made the wrong turn.’
[Jeremiah 8:4 Living Bible]
Brother Felmar Serreno: As we move on, there will still be obstacles along the way. So why not find out the vital lessons embedded in our past experiences and use them to do things correctly the next time around. Let us not perpetuate wrongdoings but instead do what is right and carry on. Apostle Paul explains that “… we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans” (Romans 8:28 Living Bible).
Above all, let us entrust to God all our plans and undertakings, for He holds the key to our success (Psalms 16:3). By placing our trust in Him, we can be confident to bounce back from our mistakes. According to God’s purpose, let us remember that “all things work together for the good” (Romans 8:28 God’s Word).
For more articles like these, get your copy of God’s Message Magazine from a member of the Church Of Christ. You can listen and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and the INC Media mobile app. Thank you for listening. I’m Brother Felmar Serreno. God bless.
