As Christians, we fail many times but the bible says in Proverbs 24:16-18, “For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” Failure is a common and inevitable part of life. We all experience setbacks, disappointments, and mistakes that can make us feel discouraged, ashamed, or hopeless. Many people struggle to rebound after a failure, but rest assured failure is not the end of the story. It is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve with the help of Christ.
In this blog post, I will share with you a step-by-step process to overcome failure and help you to get back on track while increasing your faith in Christ. This process is based on biblical principles and practical tips that have helped me and many others in similar situations.
You Need to Have a Clear Objective
It is always important to ensure that you are crystal clear on what your goal or objective is. As the saying goes “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” As the apostle, Paul indicated that he is not perfect, and he has not achieved his objectives, but he puts behind him his failures and mistakes and presses on towards his goal. This is what we need to do. (Philippians 3: 12-14)
You Should Acknowledge Your Feelings and Accept Responsibility
Secondly, overcoming failure is acknowledging your feelings and accepting responsibility for your actions. Don’t deny, minimize, or blame others for what happened. Instead, admit how you feel and what you did wrong. This will help you to release negative emotions and clear your mind for the next steps. Psalm 51: 3-4, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”
Some examples of how to do this are:
I feel sad and frustrated because I failed my exam.
I made a mistake and hurt my friend’s feelings.
I did not prepare well enough for the presentation.
You Should Seek Forgiveness and Repent
Thirdly to overcome failure is to seek forgiveness and repentance from God and anyone you may have harmed or offended. God is merciful and gracious, and He will forgive you if you confess your sins and turn away from them. He will also heal your wounds and restore your relationship with Him. John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Examples based on the failures mentioned previously:
Lord, I confess that I sinned against You and Your will. Please forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Help me to change my ways and follow You more closely.
I apologize for what I did and how I made you feel. Please forgive me and give me another chance. I value our friendship and I don’t want to lose it.
I admit that I did not do my best and I let you down. Please forgive me and let me make it up to you. I respect your work and I want to contribute positively to it.
Do a Thorough Review
Review and evaluate what you did to identify what you did wrong, what you can improve on, what skills you need to develop, and what areas or processes you can improve to get better results.
Ensure That You Learn From Your Mistakes and Then Plan
Fourthly, review and evaluate what you did to identify what you did wrong, what you can improve on, what skills you need to develop, and what areas or processes you can improve to get better results overcoming failure is to learn from your mistakes and plan for improvement. Failure is not a waste of time or a sign of weakness. It is valuable feedback that can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, discover new opportunities, and grow. Use failure as a catalyst for growth and change. Psalm 37:23-24 “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
Some examples of how to do this are:
I learned that I needed to study more consistently and effectively. I will make a study schedule and stick to it. I will also seek help from my teacher or tutor if I don’t understand something.
I learned that I need to be more sensitive and respectful of my friend’s feelings. I will listen more attentively and empathetically. I will also avoid saying or doing things that may hurt or offend her.
I learned that I need to be more prepared and confident for the presentation. I will research more thoroughly and practice more frequently. I will also seek feedback from my colleagues or supervisor.
Continue to Trust in God’s Promises and Power
Fifthly, overcoming failure is to trust in God’s promises and power. God is faithful and sovereign, and He has a good plan for your life. He can use your failure for His glory and your good. He can also give you the strength, wisdom, and courage you need to overcome any challenge or obstacle. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”.
Some examples of how to do this are:
I trust that God loves me and has a purpose for me. He will not abandon me or forsake me. He will guide me and teach me in His ways.
I trust that God can heal my brokenness and restore my joy. He will comfort me and console me in my sorrow. He will fill me with His peace and hope.
I trust that God can work all things together for good for those who love Him. He will turn my failure into success. He will bless me abundantly beyond what I can imagine.
You Should Practice Gratitude and Positive Thinking
Gratitude: Focus on the blessings and positive aspects of your life. Express gratitude to God for His love, grace, and provision. Isaiah 12:4-5 (NASB) And on that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.” Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth.”
Positive Thinking: Cultivate a positive mindset, choosing to focus on hope, faith, and the possibilities of the future.
Stay Persistent and Resilient: Persistence: Stay persistent and resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks. Keep moving forward with determination and faith.
Since childhood, I have used the following poem to encourage myself whenever I feel like giving up on something that I am doing. I hope you will find it encouraging.
Don’t Quit
Edgar Albert Guest (1881 – 1959)
When Things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and debts are high,
And you want to Smile but have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he’d stuck it out,
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You might succeed with another blow.
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown,
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.
Downloaded on 2/20/24 from:
https://www.all-creatures.org/poetry/dontquit.html
Note: the editor noted that there has been some controversy over the actual authorship of this poem.
This poem encourages us to press on when life becomes difficult. It also creates a sense of being understood and a reassurance that someone has gone through similar difficulties as the ones you currently face and survived. Whenever I read it, especially during a time of hardship, it motivates me to be strong, to try again and press harder, and to stop being sorry for myself. It encourages me to continue to climb so that I can see what is over the hill. It does not matter what the nature or the cause of my problem is, the words of this poem speak directly to it in a powerful way. I believe that when we give up on something we undertook because we felt that it was important to us, it creates an internal culture to easily accept defeat and justify our actions. This can cause a person to give up or accept defeat without making a reasonable effort to succeed. That is something that can stick with them for the rest of their life.
Remember, failure is not the end but an opportunity for growth, learning, and drawing closer to Christ. It can build confidence for the future and a greater chance for future success. With faith, resilience, and the support of your family, friends, and community, you can rebound from failure and move forward with hope, strength, and purpose, and be successful.