Failure is Necessary for Success

Failure is Necessary for Success

Romans 5:2 Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

I know we don't like to hear that, but it is true. Ask yourself how many things you have accomplished in your life the VERY FIRST TIME YOU TRIED? I'm sure there are a very few limited things, and I would call those Blessings or Miracles. Either way, most of what we accomplish successfully is learned through trial and error. It seems when we hear that phrase we focus on the trial part, but we don't really hear the ERROR word..it's a dirty word. It wounds our pride, and often is costly, or painful. All together.. not a fun experience.

In a recent discussion with my 12 year old daughter a light came on for me that was  a revelation unto myself. That ugly word.. failure was staring me down with a demand for explanation as my precious girl was soaking my shirt it sorrowful tears after working her heart out to try out for Cheer Leading at her 7th grade school.  She gave it her all, she did it right, she committed her self to the goal, and worked as hard as I have ever seen her.. she never lost hope.. and smiled the whole way through. She would not be overcome with fear! I am so very proud of her attitude through all of this. However , she still ultimately failed to meet the requirements needed to make the team. There she was looking at me asking for an explanation through tearful big blue eyes. My mother's heart had to work hard not to crumble for her, and be strong enough to hold her up , but in the midst of this very small crisis in her life, God gave me a small clarity that was invaluable to me and her. 

That Failure is a Necessary part of Success. Why? Because we have to remember that this Earthly Home, and Body is but a temporary passing for us. We DO NOT BELONG HERE. We are temporary guests waiting to go home to  our Heavenly Father. Our mission here is to bring as many friends home with us as we can, and the world is full of people who are needing us to serve that mission in so many ways.  

WHAT IN THE WORLD WOULD MOTIVATE US TO REACH OUT TO THOSE SUFFERING AND STRUGGLING MORE THAN OUR OWN TRIALS AND PERSERVERENCE? 

You see? Our failure is a part of learning compassion, and loosing our Pride, and learning Humility which is necessary for the hope of those who are still suffering. It is our job than to take those moments of failure and use them and fuel for the fire that launches us into success as a missionary here on earth. 

This applies to whatever daily mission you have, whether it's practicing for cheer leading or growing a company that is the only financial support for a family of 7. Whether you are a stay at home Mom, who battles everyday for her  home and children in a war against family values, or a single man or woman constantly bombarded by sexual perversity in our culture! 

These are our trials.....and my friends there will be errors! But your success isn't aimed at the day to day defeat of your enemies.. it's the win in the war! It takes stamina and perserverence to win a war waged by the Devil!  HOW WILL YOU LEARN PERSERVERENCE IF YOU NEVER FAIL? 

What greater way for the Devil to take our humanity down than to take each of our hopes, and dreams and shatter them with feelings of defeat because of our day to day failures! WHAT A LIE! 

YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! BUT YOU WILL FAIL AT TIMES! Sometimes it will be because you didn't put the effort in that was needed, and sometimes you will have worked your heart out and still not had the success YOU WERE LOOKING FOR! But what about the success that God is looking for in your life?

Comes the greater question! What DOES GOD'S PLAN FOR SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN YOUR LIFE? Probably not the same as yours! His measure will not be in whether you make the team even though you have worked your heart out.. His measure will be in the Faith, Character, and Love that was grown in you through the fire! Remember that he is ever shaping us to be what it is He has designed for us! Your Failures are a necessary part of this fine design and polishing process! The finest minerals and jewels that come from the very bowels of the earth are shaped in this same way! Pressure, Time, Perserverence.. and eventually Careful hands that guide them through the finishing polishes! God has us in in His Hands! He is Polishing you even before you are lifted from the bowels of the earth! What a precious jewel you are indeed!  

NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP! Because the Devil is waiting to devour you ! When you fail remember .. God is not done with you , and in your failure was just another step to your Success .. 

Tongue Twisted

What is is about Facebook that it spawns such heated debates over political topics? My thought.. it's an un-intimidating platform. You can "stand up" for what you believe in while simultaneously hiding behind a rock. I fell victim to this ridiculous false stance. To make matters worse we take aim at the people closest to us.. easier targets I guess. Often this means family, friends, or any other loved ones. Let me tell you how easy it is to fall prey. I am not one to jump into a heated debate, I don't like them, and will only do so when I feel it is "JUSTIFIED" ok.. so what's the definition right? It's totally ... ready for it.. debatable .. ok.. made my point. If you are offended by another person's political or religious stance on Facebook.. remember, it's easy when they are hiding behind a rock.. and for that matter if you engage.. you are doing the same. Guilty party here. If you truly disagree with a strong topic.. Facebook is not where you wage the war.. or win any battles for that matter. However seek out what is in your community and take action on a local level. Remember that real people make a real difference everyday. I am going to use Facebook as an avenue to encourage and speak life into people. I have mostly done this already.. but my weakness to want to be "justified" in taking my "Facebook Stance" is going to be shut down. It serves nothing .. literally nothing. Furthermore, let me give the Biblical explanation for those of you who would argue that standing up for your Faith in God, or your Christian beliefs is more than a righteous cause to "speak up" .. know when to stop.

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces" (Matthew 7:6).

Sometimes you just have to know when your words are being wasted...and stop speaking. BUT I beg of you friend in Christ.. DO NOT STOP PRAYING for these people .. for they are the children of your Heavenly Father.. just as you are, and He loves them just as much. Don't break His heart by giving up... but don't hurt it all the more by causing grief and strife while trying to Justify His Authority .. He will do that himself. You may open the door, plant a seed, grow what is thriving.. .but know when it's time to let  God finish the job. Love to you all. 

Being a God Listener

Being a God Listener 

      I would like to be  a great God listener! The truth is most of the time I am not. It's not the same as listening to your children, your spouse, or your friends. When they are speaking and your are practicing good listening skills.How in the world do you have this two way sort of communication with God? You can't see Him. You can't  physically feel Him. You can't "literally" hear Him. So how do you even know He is there either talking to you.. or listening to you for that matter? How are you supposed to know when you should be LISTENING to what He is saying?     

    My friends.. If I had the one and only magic answer to that .. we would all have most happy relationships and would live mostly perfect lives. BUT I do not.. and I will not.   However let me share  a tiny experience that often gets overlooked to demonstrate that GOD IS TALKING TO YOU ALL OF THE TIME! Therefore YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING ALL OF THE TIME! Don't worry.. it's not that hard! Really I promise! Ladies,  If you can listen to your multiple children all at once.. you got this covered! Men.. if you can handle 2 minutes with your wife in a conversation about dish towels.. yup, you got this!  

 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17                PRAY WITHOUT CEASING 

No, I'm not suggesting you run around "doing" life with hour head bent and your hands neatly clasped. I am saying when you hit a bump in the road.. speak to your Heavenly Father about it for  a second. Share with him your frustration, and ask for his guidance. Remember HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING. At that very moment, you have said a prayer my friend, you have opened up the lines, and asked for intercession. 

MATHEW 21:22  AND WHATEVER YOU ASK IN PRAYER YOU WILL RECEIVE IF YOU HAVE FAITH

(pause for a brief clause) It must be within God's will, certainly if you are praying outside of His will, you will be hard pressed to get what you want. More on that topic at a later time. For now suffice to say be reasonable.. we ask that of our children right? 

 If you are praying continually your heart will benefit greatly in many ways.. but YOU MUST BE A GOD LISTENER, in order to move in the direction of God's Will! Sometimes this happens on accident.. and sometimes it needs to be intentional.

   How can you be  a God LISTENER? Not a one answer question. But I will share one way I do this, and what the effects can be. Yesterday I was praying , in an unusually quiet time for me about some internal struggles I was having and asking God to forgive me. I wasn't asking God to give me a miracle, or to magically change me or my life. I was simply asking for His Unconditional love to cast out the crud in my own heart! In the stillness of that moment I felt my heart go PITTER PATTER, PITTER PATTER, .. I felt  my cheeks flush and an inspiration moved on my heart as an analogy played out in my mind. You will have to read my blog yesterday to see what it was. But just like that! I had the most beautiful picture of what was going on inside of myself and what it takes to fix it, in order to stay close to my Lord and Savior. I was so moved that I started a journal/ blog and shared it with my friends and family. I felt renewed, and restored! Later yesterday afternoon as the ladies from our church were gathering it was put out to me that we didn't have a devotional to share. (Which wasn't the end of life btw) but I felt my heart do it again PITTER PATTER, PITTER PATTER.. and I knew.. God was speaking to me again! I decided to share my testimony of that morning with all of the ladies, and we had a beautiful time of fellowship discussing just what God had laid onto my heart .. all because I said " Help me Lord.. and I chose to Listen when He was Speaking to me)    PLEASE DON'T EVER IGNORE THE PITTER PATTER OF YOUR HEART WHEN YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO GOD.. HE IS SWEETLY ANSWERING YOU.. BE A GOD LISTENER TODAY! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT HE HAS PLANNED FOR THE MESSAGE HE GIVES YOU!  

 YOU WILL SEE MIRACLES IN YOUR LIFE, IF YOU CAN PUT THIS INTO PRACTICE! I PROMISE! 

"How WELL are YOU doing"

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. – Proverbs 4:23

Imagine your are looking down into a deep well that is the only water supply for you and your entire family, and there in the deepest part is something foul corrupting your fresh water! Not only can you smell it, but you can see it sinking deeper and deeper into the well. With sinking devastation you realize you must solve this problem immediately, for the lives of your loved ones depend on it. 

Think:                                       a) How did this happen

                                                  b) How am I going to fix this

                                                  c) What resources do I have

                                                 d) What are the consequences if I                          

                                                     don't fix it? 

 No Matter What your thoughts are.. You know.. what is in the bottom of the Well, MUST COME UP! Or your lives are at stake!    BUT... what if you DIDN'T!  WHAT IF YOU:    

a) Denied the Existence of the Object 

b) Choose to ignore your resources

c) Refused to get help or put the effort into pulling this object up          

YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE NOW

Or the lives of your loved ones and yourself will surely die from toxic exposure to whatever this foul smelling object is that is polluting your Well Spring! 

Surely you would not allow something so small take the lives of all of those you love and would rationally decide to 1) acknowledge the existence 2) Be willing to work hard to clean your water out 3) use every resource at your disposal 4) find out how this happened and prevent it from occurring again. The thought of your loved ones drinking polluted water ever again is distressing! The choice to make sure your family and you have clean drinking water is not only an easy one for most of us, but it is essential! Most of us are going to see this foul object and ACT QUICKLY! 

BUT: WHAT IF:    

YOUR WELL WAS REALLY YOUR HEART

Will you be willing to

                                    a) acknowledge the existence of the problem

                                    b)locate your helping resources

                                    c) work hard yourself to get it cleaned out

                                    d) recognize the consequences if you don't? 

I STRUGGLE WITH THE VERY FIRST STEP: Moving beyond that is not hard for me.. of course I know who my resources are I love God, and I have a wonderful church family. I am also Blessed to have loved ones who also believe in God, and will encourage me through every trial I face. I am also  hard worker, and good at recognizing the consequences of my actions. BUT it all is for nothing if I AM NOT APPLYING MY KNOWLEDGE TO THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE I AM DENYING IT'S EXISTENCE!  

Today I am going to look into My Well, and this time acknowledge what is there and i WILL NOT BE AFRAID to haul it up and throw it out! i WILL look to my Heavenly Father for strength and mercy. i WILL look to my closest friends and family to encourage me and inspire me! i WILL work hard to prevent more foul smelling objects from creeping into the WELLSPRING OF MY HEART!                               NO! The lowercase (i) is not an accidental typo.. it is the representation of the understanding that when I say (I) I acknowledge that it is never without the strength, grace and mercy that my Heavenly Father gives me! My (i) is lowercase because I need the Lord

 Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

IT'S YOUR TURN! WHAT'S IN YOUR WELL? DON'T BE AFRAID TO LOOK !