How many have ever failed at something in your life? I know I have – over and over. We all do.
Abraham
Lincoln is an example of failure.
- His first business venture was
a failure
- He lost the election the first
time he became a candidate for the State Legislature
- In his battle with Douglas for
a seat in the Senate, he gained the majority of the popular vote, but lost
the election due to the way the vote was apportioned at that time
- Yet he took it all in good
humor with a determination to do right and with charity toward those who
opposed him
- He finally won the presidency
Another
famous example is that of Demosthenes, who is known as one of the greatest of
the ancient Greek orators.
- His first speech was greeted
with derisive laughter
- His weak lungs, shrill voice
and inability to pronounce the letter “r” made him difficult to understand
- Some of his friends reproved
him for his timidity and cowardice and suggested ways that he might
overcome his defects
- He spoke with pebbles in his
mouth
- He practiced on high mountains
and by the oceans
- He practiced incessantly
- Eventually he became one of
the greatest orators in Greek culture
- “Never was the Greek language
carried to a higher degree of perfection.
Never has been exceeded before or since in power of persuasion, in
penetrating reasoning…”
Yet,
without his initial failure and the guidance of friends, he might not have been
spurred into taking the path of achievement.
Mark, in
the Bible, failed over and over.
Many
scholars believe that it is possible that it was Mark who fled from the
soldiers who arrested Jesus. (Mark 14:51-52).
Mark was
trained by Paul, Peter and others. (Acts 12:25-31)
Barnabas
and Saul returned from Jerusalem and decided to take John Mark with them.
It was a
season of great harvest on the church and Mark was in the middle of it. (Acts
13:2-5).
When the
pressure started to build – Mark quit. (Acts 13:13).
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJ)
It is interesting, even though Paul didn’t want him around – He
eventually was willing to forgive and forget his past.
Look at what Paul says at the end of his ministry…
2 Tim 4:11 Only Luke
is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for
ministry. (NKJ)
When
opportunities are lost – are they lost forever?
The same
opportunity may never be available again.
But that does not mean other opportunities, even greater ones – may not
come later on in life.
Mark followed
Barnabas and became the kind of faithful assistant and minister he had failed
to be on the first missionary trip.
Ten years
later – Paul commends Mark to the Colossian church and included him among the
people who had been a comfort to him.
Colossians
4:10-11 Aristarchus my fellow
prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received
instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
and
Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of
God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. (NKJ)
Paul was
willing to forget his first impressions about John Mark. He was willing to forgive the past as well as
forget it.
Paul was
nearing the end of his life. In his
final instructions – he asked Timothy to bring Mark with him.
Think what
that must have meant to Mark. Picture
how he must of felt at that time.
Paul took
special pains to point out that Mark had proved himself and was now useful.
This
becomes even more significant when we read the words in 2 Timothy 4:10…
2 Timothy 4:10 for
Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for
Thessalonica-- Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. (NKJ)
“I am not concerned that you
have fallen. I am concerned that you arise.” —Abraham
Lincoln
Joshua Becker gives us an encouraging Guide To Overcoming Failure…
1.
We admit that we experience it. Despite the
universality of failure, our world goes to great lengths to hide it. People
always have and people always will. Our default position too often is to
downplay our weaknesses, but those who find growth in failure begin by simply
admitting its existence in their lives.
2.
We recognize failure is common. And because we
know all experience it, we find comfort knowing we are not alone in it.
3.
We look for personal responsibility. Our initial
tendency is often to blame others or uncontrollable,
external factors. After all, to admit defeat is to admit defeat. But rarely are
the failures in our lives entirely the responsibility of someone else. And
until we take personal responsibility in some capacity, we can never move on to
the next step.
4.
We process our weakness. Socrates
once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This holds true in both
success and failure. When failure occurs, which it always will, the wisest of
us journey inward to determine the cause and intentional steps we can take to
learn from the experience. And in time, we learn to champion humility.
5.
We let go of the factors outside our control. One
of the most hope-filled moments in life is when we find the courage to let go
of what we cannot change.
6.
We grow through pain. We
live in a society passionately committed to avoiding pain. But there is benefit to be found in discomfort. While I
would never encourage anybody to intentionally seek pain through failure, it
will arise. And when it does, it will be okay. In fact, it will teach us things
we could never learn elsewhere: patience and perseverance for example.
7.
We forgive. If
our pain is partly a result of someone else’s failures, we find freedom in forgiveness.
8.
We turn to others. Nobody
successfully navigates life alone. When the hope inside us begins to fade,
we look for it in others. We turn to family. If family is not available, we
turn to friends. And if friends are not available, we look for intentional
communities around us to find support.
9.
And then, we share our stories. It may not happen
right away—some failures take longer to process than others. But eventually, we
find opportunity to share our story. When we do, we share it with honesty and
humility. Through it, we discover opportunity to provide
hope, strength, and encouragement to others. We find influence
for good. And we begin to make sense of our failings.
Failure is never the
end. It is instead, a necessary part of the journey. May we keep hope alive.
And find redemption through it.
“I am not concerned that you
have fallen. I am concerned that you arise.” —Abraham
Lincoln
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