One of my sons, and I’m not telling you which one, struggles with mistakes. He makes as many as anyone else but has difficulty accepting responsibility for them. As we mature in our faith it’s vital we get used to being wrong.
It’s a fundamental of the gospel that we’re wrong and that it’s our responsibility. The wonder is that once we’ve accepted our hopelessness Jesus steps in and redeems us.
This redemption should permeate the church, allowing graciously for mistakes and errors while giving the space for repentance and restoration. This is the rich soil that allows for friendship and spiritual growth.
Trouble comes when we hide our mistakes or worse blame others for them. No-one is really fooled and personal integrity suffers.
1. admit our mistakes
2. freely forgive
3. learn from them
4. grow
AMEN
I turn 40 in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I don’t have sufficient funds to bag myself a sports car and embark on a full blown mid-life crisis. Instead I’ve taken a few moments to reflect on my 40 years and started swimming a few lengths a couple of times a week.
On reflection I think, as a ‘younger’ man the fear of failure was the single most restricting aspect of my life. It can be absolutely paralysing, you’ll know if you’ve ever suffered from it yourself.
The thing about failing is that it’s very common and if treated correctly can be a source of encouragement and character development.
There are some great examples from history.
Abraham Lincoln’s first business as the owner of a dry goods store was a flop. He was later appointed postmaster in his township and had the worst efficiency record in the United States.
Franklin D. Roosevelt began his career in public service after flunking out of Columbia Law School. He then decided to run for governor of New York.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was rejected three times for command positions before being appointed Supreme Allied Commander in 1942.
Harry Truman opened a hat and shirt shop at age 35 that went bankrupt after just two years. Truman worked 15 years to pay off the debt.
The bible helps us here:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5 v 3-5
It is on this character, hand in hand with the hope it produces that God builds.
So rather than allowing the fear of failure to cripple you, accept it with humility and grow in character and hope.
