Growing Through Failure

What makes the difference between being smart or a slow learner? What makes it possible for personal growth to rise up out of the deadness of a failed marriage, bankrupt business, or floundering walk with the Lord?
Our response. Surely, if Satan can get us preoccupied with our failures, then the opportunity for growth can be delayed indefinitely. So how does one grow from an experience of failure? That's what we will see now.

Initial Facts about Failure
Part of the reason failure is so painful is that it is usually accompanied by two pressures that really work us over.

Pressure from other people: It's painful being kicked when you're down, but in many places back-alley treatment seems to be a sanctioned indoor sport. At a time when restoration is needed, many continue to be pummeled with blame.The pointed fingers of the backbench watchers seem to outnumber the helping hands of fellow bruised players on the field.

Pressure from Self: Many of us have tried to pattern ourselves after the image of the super- human which the world has unfortunately fostered. So when we fall short of this false ideal, we heap guilt on ourselves for being anything less than perfect. Our consciences, being more attuned to this fallacy than to a forgiving God, stand ready to fire when any semblance of humanity exposes itself.

Practical Ways to recover from Failure

The Lord Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). And when you're carrying around a load of failure on your shoulders, that's just the invitation you need. In Psalm 103, David gave us the encouragement and practical counsel we need to come to Christ and put down that load. His advice centers around five crucial areas.

Responsibility: Your reaction is your responsibility. David's Psalm bursts open with an admonition to himself and to us that ensures a healthy reaction to failure. vv. 1-2. The first thing we have to come up to grips with is our reaction to failure. The natural human tendency is to search for a source of blame, but David repeatedly emphasizes the importance of fixing our eyes on the Lord. Where we place our eyes during times of failure will make the difference between bitterness, moodiness, and anger, or humility and growth.