You can start again

Fri, 27 Jul 2018

‘Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago.’ Isaiah 43:18 GWT

Although it’s true that we all fail, here’s something worth remembering: you can fail successfully. How? By learning from your failures and growing stronger and wiser through them. Surrendering your future to your past just means you drown in remorse and hopelessness. But if you practise ‘failing forward’, you can experience future success. So acknowledge your failings, see yourself cleansed by the blood of Jesus, let go of your disappointment in yourself, and get up and try again. At one point in Elijah’s life, he got so depressed that he prayed he might die: ‘“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”’ (1 Kings 19:4 NIV) Later when he was strengthened by God’s grace, he emerged from his depression a new man with a new mission in life (see 1 Kings 19:15–16). After he’d denied Christ openly, Peter was forgiven. Despite his weakness he was restored, and became the apostle who would ‘strengthen his fellow apostles’ and build the New Testament Church (see Luke 22:31–32). It’s not a matter of how badly or how often you’ve failed—it’s a matter of what God can make you when you accept His grace, get up again, and allow Him to empower you to do better. Peter is proof that God takes us when we are weak, and speaks and acts through us in ways that bring glory to Him alone! (See 1 Corinthians 1:28.) Will God sometimes correct you? Yes, He’s a good parent, but He won’t discard you. So the word for you today is—you can start again.

Baba sak