Follow This Spirit-Led Advice to Move Beyond Failure

“I actually cut my bangs myself,” my dear friend wrote.

I was impressed.

“… made a huge mistake,” she continued, “by cutting ¾ of an inch instead of ¼ of an inch.”

Yikes, that sounded like me.

“I couldn’t believe I did that!” she said, “But I’ve had more compliments than ever before. Turns out I look good in very short bangs and think I will keep them that way.”

See? Some friends are just blessed that way. They mess up, and things still turn out well.

That was a lesson for me. In fact, it was a huge lesson because I learned many things about making mistakes, messing up things, failure in general and making foolish decisions.

Have you been there lately?

If you’re in the “oops” phase of your journey and have looked in the mirror of life and find that you have messed up, then smile. Why? Because there are many lessons we can learn from dealing with failure. Here are six keys to dealing with failure. Using these keys can help you navigate through each episode toward a fail-proof path to success.

Remember:

1. A lack of failure denotes we’re splashing in stagnant water.
2. Failures bring added wisdom to help you take the next step.
3. Failures are a sign we’re moving forward.
4. Failures bathed in faith never equal defeat.
5. Fear of failure comes when we let go God’s hand.
6. Failure brings success when we trust in Him who never fails us.

Paul tasted the sadness of failed plans, tough roads, cold prisons and failed relationships, but he never stopped. He held his head high, his convictions deep and his resolve certain: “The Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But none of these things deter me. Nor do I count my life of value to myself, so that I may joyfully finish my course and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:23-24).

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You that my failures are not the end, my mistakes are not the outcome nor are my flaws my destiny. In You, all my failures are ways to humble me and change my focus—to see You, Your hand at work and Your mighty power that helps me finish the race. In the name of Jesus, I thank you. Amen.

• What failure are you facing?
• What does success mean to you?
• What steps are you taking to move beyond failures? {eoa}

Janet Perez Eckles is an international speaker and the author of four books. She has helped thousands conquer fear and bring back joy.

This article originally appeared at janetperezeckles.com.

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