THE VOICE OF FAILURE
DEFINING FAILURE
So many times we go through great lengths to prevent failure from occurring in our lives and/or the lives of those we love. But we live in a world of sin and failure/death is linked with sin. God's word says in Romans 6:23 -> "For the wages of sin is death [failure]". No one likes failure because failure is painful. Losing a home or car is painful. Losing a love one to death is painful. Losing a job or not able to find a job in a bad economy is painful. Failing a test, a course, or grade school is painful. Adultery/unfaithfulness is painful. Divorce is painful. A child or spouse addicted to alcohol or drugs is painful. Admitting a love one to a mental institution is painful. A love one arrested and sent to jail/prison is painful. The list goes on and on.
Shattered hopes and dreams is why we need Jesus! At least, that's why I need Jesus!
When something fails, then it actually experiences death. Death/failure was not part of God's original plan when He created the heavens and earth in the beginning. Death entered through the corporate/combined disobedience of Adam and Eve when they did what God commanded them not to do.
The fear of failure/death stagnates so many people. God's word says the following in Hebrews 2:14-15 (NET) -> ".......He [Jesus] likewise shared in [our] humanity, so that through death [failure] He could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death [failure]."
When Jesus died and rose again from the grave, He defeated death/failure by taking away its sting. God's word says the following in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (AMP): "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power upon the soul [mind and emotions] through the abuse of the Law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ."
In Jesus Christ, I "can" and "do" arise from failure. The pain/sting of failure no longer holds me in bondage! When failure comes, I may cry and/or feel discouraged but in Christ I am empowered by the Holy Spirit with His love, joy, and peace to keep moving and doing God's will. Therefore, I encourage myself in the Lord and refuse to stay in a mental and emotional hopeless state because God's word says that I am "more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ"! I stand in full assurance through Jesus Christ that "This too shall pass", and "It is well with my soul!" I speak to my circumstances and overcome adversity with the word of God!
I now present the following definition of failure: You and I are not failures because we make an error(s), we are failures when we make an error(s) and continue to make the same error(s) even when we know the correct way to do or not do something. We are also failures when we refuse to admit we have a problem and/or ask for help and CONTINUE to seek help. Not asking or seeking help is a sign of pride and God says in his word that He hates pride.
The error(s) of my parent(s), race, spouse, pastor, children, etc. do not define you or I as a failure.
God's word says in James 4:17 -> "For him who knows to do good [the right or correct thing] and doesn't do it, to him it is sin [death, failure]." We invite failure and death in our lives by insisting on doing things our way instead of God's way or by following the error(s) of others and allowing their errors to infect our mind and emotions.
God's word also says in James 4:7 -> "Resist the devil [the voice of failure, the father of lies] and he will flee from you." In Ephesians 4:27, God's word tells us not to give place to the devil [the spirit of death\failure].
Yours in Christ,
Sandra
"My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure."
Abraham Lincoln
*Soundtrack: "The Enemy Comes" by Epic Score