Which Comes First? Failure or Success?

“The Lord upholds all who fall; and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:15 NIV

“Every trial is a teacher. Every storm is a school. Every experience is an education. Every difficulty is for your development.” Rick Warren, The 6 Phases God Uses to Grow Your Faith

When we fail, we can become a victim or a willing student. What stops us from learning?

Shame. Shame has been programmed into us since we were little kids. Most people who are in a recovery program will slip or possibly relapse. What stops them from trying again? Shame. Those critical images from the past and those inner voices who say, “I knew you couldn’t do it.” But the Lord upholds all who fall and helps weed out self-defeating voices and behaviors.

Doing what another thinks we should do and be. As little children, we learn approval-seeking behaviors. A parent or another authority figure may think we should pursue this person, career or religion. The risk of striking out may lead to failure and we cycle back to shame. My dad thought I should not marry my husband because I was too independent. True, I was independent and the marriage taught me many things like interdependence. Some of it was painful, but I’m grateful for the relationship. Grateful my husband became a Christian.

Fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the known. Fear of circumstances outside of our control and most circumstances are. The Bible tells us 365 times to not fear. If honest, most things pass without a blip on our radar screen.

Then comes hopelessness. Why bother? I try and try but nothing changes. We’ll fail if we’re trying to change another, outside events or nature. If we try to change ourselves with humility, we have a Helper who will show us the way.

Jesus was a willing victim for our sake. For a few dark, scary and dismal days, it looked like Jesus had failed. No messiah was going to change the world. Peter went back to fishing. But we know the wonderful ending! We know the wonderful beginning! And He is with us always even to the end.

There are two types: Believers and non-believers. The non-believers have all the troubles we have but with entirely different solutions and, possibly, outcomes. Some Godly principles work such as reaping and sowing. Quitting a bad habit can be done by believers and non-believers who may have incredible willpower. But is there transformation? Our successes may surprise and delight us because it wasn’t what we were planning while the Father was working unseen to show us what is best for us.

Musings

We were failures before we entered the Kingdom of God.  With much grace, the Father upholds us and shows us genuine success. What does success look like for you?

Prayer

Dear Father,

Humility is never, ever going to be popular for Christians and non-Christians. But You promise to uphold and deliver us if we humble ourselves. So many religions require unapproachable, unachievable and debasing acts that must be recognized by a mercurial and judgmental god. You require faith in your Son with abundant grace. Your religion is the only religion with grace, deliverance, love and success.

With humility and thanks,

Amen.