When you fail
Remember that Jesus comes for failures. He’s not shocked by this and neither does He condemn you. If you come to Him He will forgive you and restore you and redeem even your mistakes, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32).- Look to Jesus. The greater your sin, the greater the cross that carries it. Yes, you’ve messed up – (and worse than you know) – but this is why Jesus died. Go to Him afresh with your shame and sorrow – and see He has already nailed it to His cross.
- Feel the pain of it. Don’t run away or use distractions or pretend it hasn’t happened. Face it, in the presence of God’s love. Pour it out to the eternal Counsellor. Weep for it, confess it… and allow the grace of the gospel to wash it away.
- Trust that you are forgiven. You are in Christ; spotless, blameless, beautiful – and this is not from yourself. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness, (1 John 1:9).Now is a new start.
- When we are tempted He gives us a way out. So learn from your mistakes – what’s that way out for you? A friend to pray and walk alongside you in your struggles? A change of lifestyle; or reassessment of priorities? Truths you need to confront or situations you should avoid? Time to rest and recharge; or relationships that need to be addressed? What can you do differently? What helps and what hinders?
- You will never be perfect, so don’t beat yourself up for making mistakes. But you do have the Spirit of Jesus in you; so forgetting what is behind, press on, knowing that He can bring about real hope and change. God restores failures,”Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth…” (Jeremiah 15:19)
- Check your standards. Where do you get your definition of failure and success? If it’s what the world values, then rejoice if you don’t match up – you’re not meant to. In Christ, we are strong when we are weak because that’s where His strength is shown (2 Corinthians 12). But, if Scripture shows you sin, then stop everything and listen. Allow the law to lead you back to Jesus and His grace.
- The word of God is living and active. It has power to change. It’s a reminder of what is true and real – about God, yourself and the world. So fill yourself with it, any way you can. Listen to it in the shower. Stick up verses around your home. Ask your friends to encourage you. Read the bible with someone else. Commit to a local church that preaches Christ. Get a good bible app and stick it on when you’re walking to work.
- Keep going. When you have fallen, remind yourself that you are a sinner and Jesus came for you and exactly this. Instead of beating yourself up or looking for excuses, speak it out and then, start afresh.
- Speak grace to others who are struggling. Remind them that they are not alone; but they have a wonderful Saviour. Part of the redemption of your failures will be the way you speak to others in theirs. In this way, the grace that cleanses becomes the grace that flows through you to a needy world.
Still small & scared in thinking of all the ways I’ve recently messed up these couple of months – to my perspective/perception anyway. Makes me want to run away – from people, from friends, from God. I’m still chewing on this post since I first read it a couple of days ago, but for now – thank you :-) :-)
In the midst of all that I am (and am not), small blessings come in my friends’ generous hearts & generous love, both in material things & otherwise :”)
Still catch myself unknowingly holding my breath on life sometimes … 6 & 7 are particularly relevant reminders for this season x
Continuing to pray for you. x