Freedoms found by accepting failures

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God knows we’re going to fail. Failing is okay. It’s what we do with the failure that matters.

Let’s look at someone who failed by rejecting his Lord and his friend when his own safety was at stake. Peter believed he wouldn’t forsake Jesus. He believed he was brave and able to withstand the pressures. Yet Jesus knew his weaknesses and knew Peter would fail, but Jesus loved him anyway. Jesus even encouraged him.

In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked to sift him as wheat. “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Peter, of course, says he is willing to go to prison and even die for Jesus, but we know, he denies Jesus three times before the rooster crows, just as Jesus said he would.

Failing is okay because it strengthen us

Did you catch that Jesus prayed for Peter, yet Peter still failed him? Sometimes despite all my prayers for myself or someone else, life doesn’t go the way I planned or hoped. Such situations cause frustration. Didn’t you hear me, Lord? Why did this happen when I prayed so hard and so often? No, sometimes, we have to still go through the trial.

But as with Peter, the trial teaches us something. Peter learned to trust Jesus for his strength because, just like us, when the pressure is on, all our good intentions may just fly out the window, and we’ll blow it by crying out, “I don’t know that person/thing/situation!”

Failing is okay because it leads us to lean on Jesus.

Failing is okay because Jesus accepts us

Take heart, friend! Jesus knows us better than we even know ourselves. He knows when we’re going to buckle under pressure, spout off something we shouldn’t, run when we should stand firm. Jesus said, “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” To me that says, “When you come back to rest in Jesus after forgetting to turn to Him first, encourage your family and friends who are struggling with what you learned about trust.” “When you wake up and realize the pain you caused, come back and ask forgiveness and repair the damage the best you can.” “When you stop running, Jesus is here for you. Share your experiences to help others know they aren’t alone, that together we can find the life we’re supposed to be living.” “When you come running back to Me, love others.”

We can expect to fail often. It’s not a crime or a sign that you can’t do anything right. It means you are human. When you try new things, you will fail. Like the saying goes, “You win some; you lose some.” Meaning? Sometimes you get it right; sometimes you don’t. If you never failed that would mean you aren’t learning or stepping out to try new things. Every adventure requires courage.

I know inside we’re braver than we think we are, especially if we have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Failing is okay because it means you’re learning

So, if you feel you failed again, good for you! That means you are not just sitting around doing nothing. Pick yourself up. Cry if you must. (Tears accompany my mistakes.) Go to Jesus to talk it over. Confide in a buddy if you need to. Rest. Then, get out there and tackle whatever it was again. Share with others what you learn. Perhaps you can save them some grief. Remind them failing is okay.

Jesus isn’t surprised by our mess ups. He wants you to be the real you. That’s where your freedom and joy are, you know—in being the real you. Because no matter what, #YouMatter. Always.

What did you learn from a mistake? How did a failed attempt cause you to grow?
 

Photo by Henry Perks on Unsplash.

To read more about my thoughts about failing, read this: https://michellekaderlywelsh.com/keeping-certain-promises-requires-divine-help/.