How God Uses Failure

Dear Quail,

Have you failed at something lately? Have you disappointed yourself or someone else? The fact is that it happens to all of us from time to time. But how will God use that event that you consider to be a failure? Listen to these words from the Apostle Paul:

1 Thessalonians 2:1 (NIV)
You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.

But let’s remember what happened when Paul was in Thessalonica. The Jewish leaders of the city formed a mob, started a riot, dragged Paul’s host, Jason, down to a hastily arranged trial, and, as a result of the opposition, Paul and Silas had to sneak out of the city under the cover of night. That does not sound like a rousing success story to me!

However, what might have seemed like a failure was turned to success as God nurtured the small band of believers that came to faith and brought about a thriving church.

1. Realize that God has success in mind for you. God is your heavenly Father. When you think about it, what good parent doesn’t want their child to succeed? If you are a Christ-follower, be assured that God has a will and a way for you that will bring about success. However, you need to define success the way that God defines success! When you do, you can trust Him to bring it about.
2. Realize that failure is a teaching tool in the hands of God. The greater the failure, the more profound the opportunity to learn from it! There is potential for great teaching that is found in your mistakes. Mistakes bring about change, growth and adjustment. Think of Thomas Edison, who conducted 10,000 experiments before inventing the light bulb that made him famous. He once commented, “I have found 10,000 ways that it does not work.” But each one was a step toward success.

When we look at life that way, there are few lasting failures, and many opportunities in which to learn and grow.