Failing into Success

I think the most surprising step to success is failure. It is an absolutely inevitable and essential part of the process. There have been so many times in my life that I have felt absolutely paralyzed with the fear of failing. I let perfectionism and criticism by others and even myself get the best of me. I've been afraid to even try in case I might mess up. Afraid to step forward in case I might trip. What if instead of treating our failures as permanent and beating ourselves and other people up for failing, we congratulate them for stepping out of their comfort zones? What if we praised them for trying, and encouraged them to get back up again?

What if we treated our failures like a baby taking his first steps in the process of learning how to walk? What if we said, “Great job! Keep going! Look at you go!”, and when we fall flat on our faces say, “It’s ok! Just get back up! You’ve got this!” and fully believe it when we do. So often we beat those who fall down with our words and discourage them. So often I define myself for my mistakes rather than my efforts and lose my enthusiasm to get back up again.

I’ve thought a lot about Proverbs 24:16 recently saying though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again, but the wicked will fall by calamity. Some translations say he may fall, while others profess with absolute certainty that he will. The only difference between the righteous and the wicked falling it would seem is that the righteous will get back up again. He won’t give up. I don’t ever want to give up or be the person who causes another person to stumble or give up. I don't want to cause people to doubt who or Whose they are if they've fallen or make them feel incapable of getting back up again. I want to be the one cheering on the sidelines, encouraging them to get back up again and finish the race.

I want to be known by my love for others! I want to live out God's will for my life by walking humbly and loving mercy- not just for myself, but others too! I want to get out of the hellish, bitter, tormenting places where unforgiveness resides and extend the same hand of mercy to others that God has extended to me! I want others to know that they are safe to make mistakes and screw up around me and safe to shed light on their dark places. I want them to know they’ll only be encouraged by me as I point them to the only One who can give them hope and a new life like He’s given me. I want to be successful, and I want to encourage and rejoice in the successes of those around me just like Christ has done for me.

~*Like He Did*~

I’ve been to hell and back again

Only God knows where I’ve been

The lone brave Soul to come within

Believing one day I’ll rise again

Like He did

I’ve been buried, but I’ve risen

Friends came around who were missin’

Narratives they like twistin’

Over nights lacking ears to listen

Like He did

I see you there strugglin’

Going places only few have been

While they distance themselves, let Him in

I believe one day you’ll rise again

Like He did

Love covers over a multitude of sin

He brings to light those things which are hidden

Nothing comes as a surprise to Him

You’re never too far to let love win

Like He did

So don’t give up now, don’t give in

When others run, let me step in

I’ll be there through thick and thin

For you, I’ll walk down that road again

Like He did

Don’t you fall for the lies within

You can’t escape life without strugglin’

You will fall, but you’ll rise again

Dust off ashes and rise to win

Like He did -R.A.D. (8/18/19)