[Keep Walking: The Power of Perseverance] Persevere in the PainSample

Failure Is A Better Teacher than Success

Success and failure are both the result of so many factors, that we cannot blame ourselves or boast of our accomplishments. In both instances, we have a lot to learn. The Apostle Peter succeeded when he told Christ that He was the Son of the living God. Nevertheless, he faced embarrassment when, after having been praised by the Lord, he was reprimanded and confronted with the fact that Satan had just spoken through him. This happened when he told Jesus that He would not be killed. A measure of success and a measure of failure tempered Peter’s character. Temperance or self-control, is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and one that is only acquired through trials and tribulations. This very uncommon fruit of the Spirit is what allows us to experience peace in the midst of hardships. Wouldn’t you like to have the certainty that everything will be all right when in the midst of tribulation? Temperance is that gift that helps you experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. 

We know how Moses and Paul were tempered. After Moses killed the Egyptian, he faced a very long exile—40 years—after which he became the deliverer of the people of Israel. Paul had a long list of Christians to persecute, but after his conversion, he became the architect of the Church. Both of these great men could have dwelled in guilt, running away from God, but God used their failures to lead them to repentance and to restore them to a greater calling. Don’t forget, God’s calling and gifts are irrevocable, for He does not withdraw what He has given. 

Do not dwell on your mishaps or troubles. God uses them to further your spiritual maturity; He incorporates your mistakes in His plan for your life. He is not surprised by how low you fell. 

Do not fear failure; it can teach you much more than success. Failure is more common in life. Success is often the result of many failures. God uses them to purify us, but also to restore us and take us to higher ground. Success makes you proud of yourself, but failure makes you humble because you had to learn to trust your Lord through the process. Failure is what really lifted you up, what took you to a higher and better place, the place of complete trust in God.