Tomorrow, a candidate will wake up victorious, and another campaign will have failed. Spin it as you may, it hurts to fail — especially publicly. I’m sure you’ve given a public speech and stumbled or played for piano recital and flubbed. I know that I have. If I can’t win, then I don’t want to play. It’s tough, and it makes us want to be risk adverse. While it’s normal to want to run and hide from our inadequacies and failures, we are often called to face them.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
I have run from challenges that were likely meant for me because I did not feel adequate. My strongest spiritual struggles have been during times when my heart desired something that God meant for a latter time or in a different way. God’s best and His way have been a perpetual struggle, surrender, and blessing in my life. The faith journeys have made me forever who I am just as my failures perhaps still limit me from all that I can be.
Paul (see above)
Peter – Mark 14:68
Moses – Exodus 4:10
Daniel – Daniel 10:17
Esther – Esther 4:11
Gideon – Judges 6:15
Looks like I”m in good company. Can you think of other examples?
Dear God, take my failures and make them perfect through your strength. Help me to boldly respond to your call.