How do you see failure? Is it seen as defeat?
Fortunately I have had the influence of others to instead see failure as opportunity to gain experience, understanding, learning and spiritual growth. I reflect on my daughters when young and attempting to walk. They would take a step then fall, take two steps and fall again. In their failure to walk they showed no frustration or disappointment. They simply got themselves back up with the help of me or my wife and trudged on and improving with every try. This is the example of faith we are to hold to in our Lord. I believe it was the historical Greenbay coach Lombardi who said, “Reach for perfection and attain excellence.“ That is our goal as beliebers for it is God who works in us to do his will and good pleasure in us, Phil. 2:13. Faith is stepping out so he can do so.
July 21 of every year marks the anniversary of the landing on the moon. There was a trail of failures that led to this successful mission. The failures didn’t quench the program though filled with pain and loss.
The apostle Peter’s sinking when walking on water is often pointed to as a failed act of faith. Sermons have even chastised the apostle for his lack of faith and attention on the storm. But I see it as a success because Peter was willing to test his faith and get out of the boat. He was willing to risk failing. Consider how this experience molded his relationship and faith in Jesus. Meanwhile the others remained in the boat as spectators.
I often say faith is not demonstrated by what you avoid but by what you go through and remain in trust of the Lord. The centurion of Luke chapter 7 was touted as having “great faith.” Not because he was able to care and heal his servant but that he trusted the authority of Jesus to simply speak so his servant be healed. He found himself to be a failure in his limitations yet his limitations led him to seek, know and experience Jesus.
I could go on with example after example from scriptures but I’ll finish by quoting the apostle Paul, “For when I am weak, then am I strong” (1Cor 13:10). Don’t be afraid of failing but rather get out of the boat and gain experience to grow in your faith. Jesus will reveal his strength in your steps whether in of triumph or in failure.