March 29, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John
Experiencing Failure & Freedom…
All Roads Lead through Jericho Series
The children of Israel did not get to their promise land without experiencing failure first. None of us like failure but it is in realizing our failures that we find freedom in Christ. Often failure precedes success (or our freedom), just as it was with Christ with the appearance of failure at His crucifixion, but it is His victory and freedom at His resurrection what we rejoice in. What we consider personal failures, God often labels as the accomplishment of His plan and perfect will.
No one likes to fail; I certainly do not, but it is not the failure that bothers me but the ‘fear of failure’ that stifles action on my part. I remember experiences when growing up when I stopped or refused to move ahead with something I would like to have done but the ‘fear of failure’ stopped me. Fear was my motivator that inhibited me from doing something I wanted so desperately to do or loved to have tried to do.
We can have many fears in this life: what would people think of me or if I fail I will never recover from the hurt, pain or rejection. I am reminded of Christ praying three times to the Father that, ‘what God was asking Him to do was too hard’—“let this cup pass from me.” But Christ did pray in the end, “Not my will but thy will be done.” Jesus felt that to carry all the sin, sickness, persecution, and deliverance from evil for everyone was too much to carry at one time. Jesus saw only failure on His part but He did not fear failure—to Him failure was not doing what God wanted.
The Bible say, “God heard His prayers because He feared the Him (His Father).” That is, Christ knew that whatever God asked of Him was right and just—this is the fear of the Lord. We can safely say that ‘fear is the opposite of faith’ because the fear of failure stops us from acting—from doing and responding to God. Fear stops me from responding to the will of God and any request that comes from the Father.
There are countless stories of individuals that in the face of failure moved ahead with their plans and hopes. Very few inventions and great visions would have been realized if those individuals were afraid of failure. I agree with Patrick Henry, “Give me liberty (freedom) or give me death.” He did not fear failure. To him failure was not trying.
Do not be like so many of the children of Israel after seeing or hearing the news of ‘giants in the promise land’; feared to move ahead for fear of loosing in battle with the inhabitants of the promise land, only to face the giants again forty years later.
Let’s not fear failure but fear the Lord—let’s only fear not doing His will—let’s be people of faith. It is time to say with Apostle Paul, “If I live or die, I am the Lord’s.” “I strive for, I press ahead for the high calling of Christ—the prize for which God has called me” Philippines 3:14. I regret ever experiencing the ‘fear of failure’ and giving into that fear. God has forgiven me for my ‘unfruitful fears’ and instead has given me God’s fear—I choose God’s will and God’s purposes—I choose the Fear of the Lord.
A Personal Note: I wrote this article in honor of my oldest boy’s 40th birthday, in whom I instilled determination, ‘never give up attitude’ and love for laughing even in the face of one’s enemies. Happy Birthday #1!
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What would Jesus want me to do?
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