The Positive Power of Failure!
When Thomas Edison was questioned about his multiple failures in attempting to create a filament light bulb he simply said, “I have not failed 700 times, I have not failed even once. I have succeeded in proving that there are 700 ways that will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, then I will have found the way that will work!”
John Maxwell, a current day leadership guru states, “Failure isn’t fatal, unless you refuse to get back up!”
How about Jesus, what did He have to say about failure. Specifically, what did he say to Peter the very night Peter was going to have his biggest personal failure?
“I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” – Luke 22:32
And when Peter was ready to be restored, did Jesus lecture him about his failure?
“Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” – John 21:17
How have you categorized your failures? Have you allowed them to derail you, are you currently sitting in a spiritual funk? Well, don’t you think it’s time to tell your failures that they are simply lessons that you’ve learned on how “not to do” something?
Don’t allow your failures to define who you are, instead allow your failures to refine who you will be! I don’t believe that Peter could have possibly accomplished all he did with his life if he hadn’t failed that night 2,000 years ago. That moment in time refined him, chipped off some very rough edges, and gave him the passion he needed to be God’s point man!
