THE SHEPHERD
John 10: 16
A weekly e-publication of Campuslightafrica Mission No. 3 February 2021
HANDLING FAILURE
Something I will not take for granted is the opportunity to shepherd youths and guide them through their ups and downs moments. This is because I have been there, and drawing from my own experience, I am better prepared to offer help. Failure is common in life, but how we handle our failures is what makes us to be better prepared to help others.
When God is interested in your life, He sometimes permits failure to prepare you. A writer says “When God wants to drill a man and skill a man; when He wants to mold a man to play the noble path, to create so great and bold a man that all the world shall be amazed, watch His methods, watch His ways…!” (paraphrased). Failure is one of God’s methods.
Christ told Peter of Satan’s plan to make him derail, and He (Christ) assured him of victory. Ultimately, He charged him saying “…and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:21-32. We derive the strength to help others
when we triumph through our own failures.
You would not have known any great man today if they all allowed the failures of the past to keep them down. In whatever area you might have failed; academics, career, business, relationship and family life, do not let down your guard. Be brave! The failure is for a moment, but how you handle it matters the most. All you need do is to identify the cause(s) of your present predicament, take responsibility and decisively deal with it. Where you need to repent before God, do that sincerely.
Now be determined! “Upon the wreckage of thy yesterday, design the structure of tomorrow. Lay strong cornerstones of purpose, and prepare great blocks of wisdom. Cut from past despair, shape mighty pillars of resolve to set deep in the tear-wet mortar of regret. Work on with patience though thy toil be slow, yet day by day, the edifice shall grow. Believe in GOD, in thine own self believe, all that though hast hoped for thou shalt achieve.