Most of us have at one time or the other met with failures; but I have come to understand that there is a distinct difference between failing and being a failure. All of us have failed, but we only become a failure when we don’t get up and keep on going.
God had a perfect plan for this world that He created and for the people in it. His original plan failed. Adam sinned and perfection was gone. Is God a failure? Certainly not! He had another plan, when His perfect plan failed, He put His other plan into action. In effect God told Satan, “you may have interfered with my plan but you will not stop me.i have another way! God did not let man’s failure stop him! He loved man and showed him how he could get up from his failure and go on (Gen. 3:14-15)
Failure is sometimes necessary for success. That you and I have both failed does not make us failures. All of us fell down the first time we tried to walk, likewise the first time we tried to swim, many of us almost drowned. The point is don’t worry about failing but focus on the chances you are given when you try again.
Here are five keys t help you get up from failure:
1) Focus on your purpose and plan, not your mistake – if you allowed yourself to be controlled by embarrassment, shame or self-blame, your mistake will make you a failure and you wouldn’t succeed in doing what God has called you to do. Instead, focus on getting up. With Jesus you can do it. (Phil. 3:13 -14; 4:13)
2) Choose to like yourself – perhaps you have failed a test at school, failed to achieve a goal, failed in a relationship, or failed at a job or whatever your situation, God does not see you as a failure and neither should you. You are still his child and He loves you just as much. Real success is not based on performance, it’s based on your faith in Him. (Ps. 139:17; II Cor. 5:21)
3) Be determined not to let your past determine your future – take charge of your life, seek God’s plan for you and then move forward. Don’t focus on the past, focus on now! Don’t focus on giving up, focus on getting up.
4) Don’t compare yourself with others – your success should not be gauged by your achievements compared with someone else’s. Your success should be measured by how your accomplishments compare with God’s plan for your life. God gave you the talents and abilities to do what he has called you to do. You are special to Him. Just be the person God has called you to be.
5) Repentance – perhaps the failure in your life involves sin, repent quickly and make restitution. God has given us clear instruction on what we need to do when we fall. Don’t put it off and don’t let pride stop you. You will never be all God want you to be until you are willing to make things right. (I John 1:9; Romans 6:1)
Are you going to give up or get up? When God’s plan for mankind failed He didn’t stop for a moment. He already another plan in progress. He didn’t dwell on what didn’t work. He set in motion a plan that would work. We need to do the same. God is bigger than any situation you are facing so don’t look at your problem but look at Jesus. Now is the time to rise up from your failure and put your trust in God (Micah 7:7 – 8; Heb 13: 5-6)
