Failure

All, repeat, all, have failed. That being true we must learn to deal with it.

Plan on failing, but do not plan to fail.

By planning on it is meant to plan on your response to it if it happens. With your mental state prepared on how to respond to failure, work with all diligence and your ability not to fail. Abraham Lincoln gave this wise counsel.      

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”  Disappointed yes, disillusioned or defeated, no.

We are not defined by our failures, but rather by how they help shape us into a better version of ourselves.

Using the jargon of an athlete the renowned Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph said, “Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”  Failure can lead to deferred success. 

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure,” said Abraham Lincoln.

When you fail, not if, but when you fail, become known for not blaming others. Redefine yourself as a resilient person like the prophet Habakkuk who after noting his disasters gave this positive response: “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Fear of failure, also called atychiphobia, leads to avoidance of tasks, projects, opportunities, and even other people (out of self-perceived negative judgments and a sense of shame or disappointment) leads to future failure.

When appropriate, admit, “I failed,” (adjective) but that does not mean you are a failure (noun). 

As friends of Jesus, our faith and lifestyle leads us to conclude, a realistic view of the failure, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” (II Timothy 1: 7) Responding positively to that enables us to avoid these shadowy responses: high anxiety in future endeavors, a sense of helplessness, low self-esteem, low sense of personal ability, and emotional pressure.

Don’t make decisions and then ask God to bless them. Ask Him to guide you in making the decisions in the first place. Then ask Him to bless the decision.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delights in His way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37: 24)

“For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Proverbs 24: 16)

Have this background knowledge for all your actions: “Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41: 10)