Monday, October 15, 2007

Is Failure An Opportunity?


Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.- Henry Ford

Ten to 15 years ago, my husband preached a message at our district youth camp titled, "Your Failures Are Not Fatal." It was a tremendous message in which he shared some of his failures as a young person while living in France and how he got drawn into the "wrong" crowd. This sermon was presented in an era where it was not popular for ministers to admit to any failures and it was quite a vulnerable thing for my husband to do, but the results were surprisingly positive. Even after all these years, he has young people approach him and tell how that message changed their life. Then yesterday, we had Larry Carter in service with us and he told a story of a minister who told him, "Larry, God doesn't remember the last time you fell, He only remembers the last time you got up." Too many times people believe a failure in their life is the end and turn to a life of distruction, but in reality failures are an opportunity. The next time you are disappointed with yourself, just tackle the task again. You will find the negative experience will have taught you and the entire scenario can make a positive change. In fact, the whole thing will probably end up better than you ever imagined.

13 comments:

  1. This is a great post! I remember a few years ago when I was on YOM, and we were driving down the road and Bro Allard was telling me about his tough times in France. I'll never forget how impressed I was that: 1) he would admit to failure and express himself freely 2) how much God can do for someone 3) how he really let God do so much for him...Bro Allard impacted my life with his testimony. So many people fail, but then never let God pick them up and turn them around, let alone bring them to such great success. Thanks for sharing with me, and being so inspiring! Love you bunches!

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  2. Hi Jana, What a great message. And what liars we become when we pretend we have not failed. How many opportunities do we miss when we fail to confess? God is so faithful. We are so loved. God means for us to not only to get up but to fly. Love, Helen

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  3. Janell - I'm glad we have been able to be a "part" in your life. You are a wonderful young lady and we admire you.

    Helen - I like the last line of your comment. God does want us to succeedd or "fly." We don't have to just barely make it.

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  4. Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! How this quote brings back memories of when I first came to this church. I had been living for God for 14 years. But life happens and WAS I EVER A MESS! It was in 1992. I believe I told someone it was in 1995 but it was November of 1992. Fifteen years ago this coming November at Thanksgiving. Yes, failure is the opportunity to begin again more Intelligently. Thanks to my pastor, pastor's wife, God and determination. I will leave it at that.

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  5. Yes, I do believe that all failures are opportunities. We have the opportunity to wallow in our failure, kick ourself and stay down or we have the opportunity to get up and try again. I'm thankful that Jesus can give us the power to get up again when we mess up. Where would any of us be if that wasn't the case?

    By the way, congratulations on passing the 20,000 mark. You have a great blog.

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  6. Jolene - everytime I look at you, I feel so much pride just knowing how much God has done for you. It is amazing! You have blossomed into a most gorgeous rose. The failures you experienced were not really your fault, but overcoming them was your greatest obstacle and greatest achievement.

    Carol - thanks for the compliments.

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  7. Great Post, Jana. Oh how foolish we are when we put on a face and act like we are perfect. "There is none good but God". I am thankful for God's Amazing Grace.

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  8. Ronda - We are living in a time where people have dealt with so many fakes and frauds that they desire the truth. What better way for them to receive the truth then to hear it from a "real" person!

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  9. This post brings to mind the song I sang tonight in service, "He's Been Faithful". The many times we fail to pray, seek His will, doubt His power, and we fall, are overcome by His faithfulness to hear our cry. When we say "Abba, Father" he hears us. When we pick ourselves up, brush off the dust, and start striving for the mark, He is right there. He is the WIND beneath our wings!!! Love your blog!!!

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  10. Jana M. - thanks for dropping by. Did you sing "He's Been Faithful" as made popular by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir? I love that song. It ranks in the class of "Amazing Grace" to me.

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  11. Jana, GREAT post! You'll have to get us a copy of the tape. No, it is not popular to talk about our failures, but perhaps if we were more open and candid we could share our story and help someone else from making the same mistake! No one ever intends to fail, they just missed the caution sign! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  12. Hello, Jana.

    This is an important post. I truly believe one of life's greatest lessons is that all of us at one time will fail. The difference between winners and losers is that the winner again "gets up."

    Thanks for the reminder.

    Have a blessed weekend.

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  13. Debbie - I wouldn't even know where to start looking for a copy of that message. It is possibly in some old files at our church. Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts, too.

    Sis. Buxton - thanks for dropping by. I always enjoy hearing from you.

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