Do you ever feel like a failure? My guess is most of us would answer yes. Today we’ll talk about a few reminders that have helped me when I feel like a failure.
Fear of failure has been with me for as long I can remember—in performance, relationships, and others’ opinions of me. Almost everything I’ve done in my life is colored by the fear of doing something wrong.
And even though I feel alone in these feelings, I’ve learned that I’m not so unique as to be the only one to feel insecure, so I thought I’d share three simple truths that help me.
Maybe they’ll help you, too, because sometimes we need to be reminded of the simple truths.
Feeling Like a Failure
#1 – I AM A FAILURE.
This may seem a little harsh or self-deprecating, but you know the old saying that you can’t improve until you acknowledge the truth?
The truth is I’m a failure in the truest sense. I’m a heartless, selfish, sinful person, and I can never be all I want to be on my own.
But I’m so glad it doesn’t end there.
#2 – MY FAILURES DON’T DEFINE ME.
Even though I’ll never be all I want to be or what I think I should be, that’s not all I am.
When I was eight, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I’ve messed up a lot since then. A lot. And I let those mistakes bother me for a long time.
Recently, though, I’ve learned in a heart kind of way that God isn’t shaking His head in disappointment with me. He doesn’t look at me and see all my mistakes. He’s not waiting for our meeting in the beyond just to show me what my life could have been like if only I’d not made mistake after mistake.
The only thing He sees when He looks at me is the blood of His Son that perfectly covers my flaws.
He is all that defines me now.
#3 – MY FAILURES ARE BEAUTIFUL.
It’s so hard to extend grace to myself sometimes. On my bad days, all I can see is how I should be, but I don’t have to stay in that mindset.
My faults and even my mistakes point directly to the Savior. They show the unconditional love of my Father and the work He’s still doing in me because God chooses to accept me despite my many flaws; and the bigger my flaws, the bigger God’s power shines.
My failures glorify Him, and whatever glorifies God is beautiful.
I told you this list would be simple, but sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed.
I pray that if you’re here today, you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior because you’re still stuck at the first point of this article otherwise. Please, please, please read this page if you’ve never accepted Him.
If you have accepted Christ, remember that your worth is never defined by your faults and failures: It can only be found in Him.
HOW DO YOU OVERCOME FEELING LIKE A FAILURE? SHARE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
*** This post was revised from the archives. Check out the original here. ***
More reading
- When the Fear of Failure Paralyzes You, Remember This from HISsparrowBlog
- 5 Simple Reminders for When You Can’t Forgive Yourself for Past Mistakes from HISsparrowBlog
- Delicate Happiness: My Worst Mistakes {and what I’m gonna do about them} from HISsparrowBlog
I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.
I love this, Ashley! What a powerful thought: “My failures glorify Him, and whatever glorifies God is beautiful.” Amen!
Thank you for stopping by, Lois!
Often our deepest insights come from the simplest things. I appreciate what you’re sharing here, Ashley. Recognizing our frailty as human beings is definitely a first step, then we can move outward from there. Thanks!
Thank you, Lisa!
Such good reminders we all need from time to time. I’m never going to be all that I hope for, but He is more than enough to cover me.
Yes, He is. Thanks for stopping by, Jerralea!
“and the bigger my flaws, the bigger God’s power shines.” Amen!
Yes! Thank you so much for commenting, Lynn!
Okay, Ashley. I don’t like failing and the feelings that come with it. Your article encourages me and reminds me that God can do so much in and through us. Amen!
I’m proud to feature your blog post on my Pinterest board for Grace & Truth Featured Posts. You can see your feature here—
https://www.pinterest.com/embracingtheune/grace-truth-christian-link-up-featured-posts/.
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Maree! Thanks so much for reading and the feature.
Ashley, you are right – the list is simple, simple needed encouragement. This >> “My failures glorify Him, and whatever glorifies God is beautiful.” May I be willing to let Him use my failures to bring Him honor.
Yes, and that is a constant reminder, isn’t it? Thank you for reading, Joanne!