The fear of failure is a common fear. People fear…
• Failing as a parent
• Failing in their careers
Failing at relationships
• Failing as a Christian
I could make a long list of my fears about failing—but you don’t have that kind of time. If I had to name one, I’d choose failing at parenting. What’s behind my fear? I don’t want to mess up my kids. But I eventually had to come to this conclusion. Because I’m human, I’m going to make mistakes. I’ll never be a perfect parent. Therefore, I’ve agreed to pay for the first session of counseling for each kid. 🙂
Here are some helpful reminders that I’ve applied to my life for overcoming my fear of failure. I hope they encourage you.
Remember that everyone fails.
A recent study showed that the failure rate of human beings is 100%. Nobody’s perfect.
I love that the bible doesn’t make the hero’s of faith seem like they’ve always had it together. The bible does just the opposite. We know Moses failed, David failed, and Peter failed just to name a few.
James 3:2 says, “We all stumble in many ways.” Ain’t it the truth!
Despite their failures, each one also had great success—because they kept at it.
“Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” (Pr. 24:16).
Babe Ruth was once baseball’s all-time home run king. But did you know that he was also the all-time strikeout champion. He struck out almost twice as often as he hit home runs. He knew that he had to risk striking out in order to hit those home runs. When asked for the secret of his success, Ruth replied, “I just keep on swingin’ at ‘em!” (Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook: 2003 Edition, p. 385).
Why did he keep swinging?
Babe Ruth understood that failure is not final.
That’s a great lesson to learn! There is life after divorce. There is healing after the hurt. Each day is a new beginning. We have been promised that God’s mercies are new everyday! How cool is it that God gives us a “do-over!” It’s pretty awesome.
So when I fail, I thank God for a new beginning. I look at my new day and say, “Today is the first day of rest of my life.”
I recognize the benefits of failure.
While my failure might not be a good thing, God promises to “to work all things together for my good” (Romans 8:28). God can use my failure. One way He uses it is to educate me.
Failure educates me.
After failing, I’m much wiser on the second try. In fact, my failures show me what doesn’t work and points me down another path until I find success!
One way I’ve learned to battle my fear of failure is to “keep swinging” no matter what. I’ve also learned to thank God for new mercies, a new day, a fresh start.
No matter what you’ve failed at, you can say, “Today is the fist day of the rest of my life.” Then swing for success!
Kathy says
Your words of encouragement are so precious to me. I know that I am a 100% failure but in God’s eyes, He sees only the righteousness of Christ as my persona. I need to focus on the Lord and find His peace and purpose in life, to be transformed into the image of His dear Son.
Angela says
Thank you for your encouraging blog on failure. How the Lord accepts us still in our mistakes. I am learning to lean on his Grace and not my strength.
Mary T says
Micca…I fail at something somehow everyday…but I too believe that everyday is a new day filled with His blessings and opportunities, His mercy and joy…”This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it and be glad.” Psalm 118:24
shelly l says
Micca,
You probably hear this alot, but thank you so much for pouring this sage advice on my soul. I am in a transitional point in my life and my vision is changing. Hearing that I don’t have to make all the right choices the first time calms me.
Linda Kuhar, Christian Life Coach says
Micca,
Thank you for reminding me today that it’s ok to fail and the nobody is perfect! As a Women’s Christian Life Coach, I struggle from time to time with am I “doing enough” or am I “good enough”. I want to be the absolute best for my clients and when I’m weak in certain areas of my walk with Christ, I tend to lean towards failure mentality. However, I’m reminded that where the enemy puts a question mark, God has put a period. Love your post today!