Too often we hear “If you are walking in God’s will, you cannot fail!” And, viewed from the vantage point of heaven, that is true. But in the actual working out of our day-to-day and year-to-year lives, failure may be part of God’s will and plan.
Is that an unwelcome thought? Perhaps. But here is what I have learned by failing:
Failure makes me humble
Failure teaches me perseverance
Failure drives me to trust
Failure helps me be compassionate
Failure pushes me to grow
Failure, therefore, may be an important part of our maturing process. It can bring eternal value if we allow God to use it to strengthen and develop our character. It is similar to when athletes train – they fail many times on the way to becoming skilled and strong in their sport.
Walk forward with faith and have no fear of failure. Failure may come; in fact, it probably will. When it does, accept it and ask God to use it for good in your life. He will answer, for he has promised us that he “causes all things” – even failure – “to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)