Rev. Richard Smith
Mark 6:6 Jesus could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Sooner or later we all feel the sting of failure, the pain of a significant personal mistake. It may be a failed relationship or a failed professional opportunity or a failed commitment or a failed responsibility or a moral and spiritual failure; but we all fail at one time or another
This simple sentence from Mark 6:6 tells of a time when Jesus came home to Nazareth and sought to reveal himself as the Messiah. Because so many doubted him, “he could not do any miracles there”; except for a few healings. So, according to Mark, even Jesus failed in his hometown of Nazareth to be able to do any significant work.
Let’s ponder a bit how we people of faith handle failure when it does come.
Mature Persons Accept Their Failures
We never help ourselves spiritually, mentally, emotionally by rationalizing, excusing, ignoring or minimizing our mistakes, our failures. We are always better persons when we accept our failures and seek to grow from them.
Now, I admit the word “failure” is a broad word which can cover a multitude of experiences; some of which might be more mistake than failure. Having said that, however, it remains true that each of us will at times really fail.
Accepting this as true is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity.
Failure Presents An Opportunity To Do Things Differently
Not only do mature people of Christian faith accept their failures, they seek to learn from them.
The fact is every moment of failure affords us a chance to reflect on what happened, why it happened, and what we can do differently the next time.
I can categorically say that those whom we deem as leaders, as notable personalities, as examples for us to follow have gained again and again truths worth embracing which came through times of failure. truths which came because there was an experience where one stumbled and failed.
John Wooden, as I think you probably know, is generally viewed ad the greatest college basketball coach of all time while at UCLA. He was also a most respected and revered person, by coaches and players alike. He died last June at age 99. In a book he wrote in 1997 Wooden said: Failure is not fatal but failure to change might be.
God Can Use Our Stumblings to Help Others
One of the ways God helps us in the midst of our failures and mistakes is to use us help others who are going through the same problem in their lives. In this way our difficulties become redemptive by the work of God’s Spirit. Don’t ever underestimate how God can use the stumblings of your life to help other people.
- Been through a failed marriage? Someone else is going through a divorce and God just might use you to help them.
- Battled alcohol or other substance abuse, well who better to help another person on that unhealthy path than one who has been there?
- Failed in your business or professional life? There are certainly plenty of people out there who need your counsel and understanding.
- Struggled with some moral failure and yet risen beyond it with God’s help, there are many for whom moral failure is a very real issue and who need a listening ear and a guiding hand.
- Gone through a time of spiritual dryness, there is some person of faith who needs your guidance as they face their own spiritual challenges
- Etc.
You get the picture. Our failures, our setbacks, our moments of stumbling can be used by God to help others if we will let ourselves be used. We just need to be willing to be used by Him, which means being willing to be honest and open.
And, Failure Is Never Final
(Poetic Piece)
Failure doesn’t mean I’m a failure – It just means I haven’t yet succeeded.
Failure doesn’t mean I have accomplished nothing – It just means I’ve learned something.
Failure doesn’t mean I’ve been a fool – It just means I’ve had enough faith to experiment.
Failure doesn’t mean I’ve been disgraced – It just means I’ve dared to try.
Failure doesn’t mean I’m inferior – It just means I’m not perfect
Failure doesn’t mean I should give up – It just means I should try harder.
Failure doesn’t mean God has abandoned me – It just means I must more diligently seek His will
