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Looking Failure in the Face
"So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to
search
out wisdom ..." (v. 25)
-- For reading & meditation: Ecclesiastes 7:21-29
What steps must we take, when broken by failure, to ensure that we
become strong at the place of weakness? Keep in mind that the
principles we are considering are not only corrective, but also
preventative. The first thing we should do, whenever we have failed in
anything, is to analyze the reason for the failure. These are some of
the questions you should ask yourself: Have I contributed in any way to
this failure by such things as inattention to detail, lack of
preparation, naiveté, wrong timing, disregard of moral principles, or
insensitivity to other people's feelings? Another question is: What does
God want me to learn from this failure? It is difficult, of course, to
sit down and question yourself like this when failure strikes; but, as
soon as possible after the event, try to assess the lessons that can be
learned by honestly facing your emotions - such as hurt, anger, anxiety.
Remember, when we stop learning, we stop
living. Yet another question to ask yourself is this: Has God allowed
this failure so that His purposes for me might be made clear? I know a
man, well-known in evangelical circles, who, when he was in his teens,
mapped out a career for himself. Although a brilliant student, he failed
the entrance examination into his chosen profession. When the news was
broken to him, he simply said, "Lord, I just know You are involved in
this: what do You want me to do?" This was the moment God had been
waiting for, and He showed him a new path that has made him Christ's
ambassador to millions.
PRAYER:
Father, help me to face my failure in the knowledge that some good can
be wrested from even the most depressing circumstances. Show me that
incisive questions can bring incisive answers. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Part II
"... 'Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in
him.'" (v. 31)
-- For reading & meditation: John 13:12-32
The second thing we should do when failure strikes is to face it in the
knowledge that with God something can be made out of it. The account
before us today tells of Christ's betrayal by Judas. Notice how Jesus
first accepted the situation before He went on to make something out of
it.
The Master said: "What you are about to do, do quickly." He made no
attempt to ignore the situation, sweep it under the carpet, or pretend
it was not there - instead He calmly and deliberately faced reality.
Before we go any further, make up your mind to face up to all of life's
problems, because if you try to ignore them, you will become inwardly
demeaned. The account continues: "As soon as Judas had taken the bread,
he went out. And it was night. When he was gone, Jesus said, 'Now is the
Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. '"
Not only did Jesus accept the situation, but He moved on to turn it into
victory. No self-pity, no egotistical concern - He took charge of the
situation and made the betrayal contribute to His victory. Was Jesus
hurt by Judas' betrayal? I should think so. But instead of spending the
night wallowing in self-pity He looked at the situation from God's point
of view and quietly affirmed: "Now is the Son of Man glorified." It may
take you a little while to be able to respond to difficult situations in
the way Jesus did, but remember this -the resources on which the
Master drew are yours for the asking.
PRAYER:
Father, I see that my life will be made or broken at the place where
I acknowledge and deal with my failures. Help me not to run away from
them, because in You I am more than a match for anything. Thank You,
Father. Amen.
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