"What Do You Do When You Just Keep Failing?"

 Here is a beautiful article written by Mrs. Joseph Wood at a moment with mom.

This was the question one of my children presented as we drove into town. I asked them to explain and the conversation went on like this…

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Well, I just keep messing up. I keep trying, keep praying and yet, I keep doing what I don’t want to do!” the child replied. I asked my next question, “Well define failure for me?” The child went on to explain that it when you keep messing up and doing what you don’t want to do no matter how hard you try. I understood now and answered, “I see. We have different ideas of what failure is. See, I believe failure is when you stop trying. It’s when you mess up and stop trying to ever do different. That’s what failure is to me. The Scriptures tell us that while we will fall we will also arise. Failure is not messing up… even if you’ve messed up 1001 times. Failure is falling and never getting up. Failure is giving up. Failure is NOT the act of messing up no matter how many times you’ve messed up. As far, as I can tell you’ve not failed yet.” The child pondered for a moment and earnestly replied, “Hmm… I see now. I think I am looking at this all wrong.” with a smile I said,”I think you might be dear child.”

 How many times as wives and mothers we’ve felt the feelings of failure as well? Our homes aren’t as clean as we like, we’re not as sweet and dream, our tongues aren’t nearly as bridled as we know they should be, and the list could go on and on. We too need these reminders that messing up, getting it wrong… even if it’s the 100th time we’ve got it wrong, is not failure if we try again. Rather, let us place all our hope in His grace to help us overcome our weaknesses!

A few days later, we read Romans chapter 7 as a family. God opened each of our eyes. There before us, we read as Paul struggled with the same feelings of “failure”. Several times he said that he does that which he does not want to do concluding with, “O wretched man that I am!” Many of us giggled, understanding how torn you feel when you are trying to do that which you know is right and somehow find your flesh still overcoming and doing that which you do not wish to do! Would any of us call Paul a failure? Of course not! So why then, do we listen to the voices in our head, the lies that say we are failing, failed or failures? Let us put away such thinking! Let us cling to Truth and press forward in this race! If we do not grow weary in well doing we will reap a great reward!

Here are some passages you may enjoy posting throughout your home so you can ponder on them the next time feeling like you’re failing.

To God be the Glory,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Romans Chapter 7

Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.

Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

How Does the Church Respond to Evil?

(This is an outline from our pastor's sermon yesterday. He sent it to everyone in a newsletter today.) Great sermon. I encourage you to read the outline and accept the challenge. (SFNchurch)

At some point in our lives each of us will face the reality of evil and suffering, whether through the heinous actions of another individual, an accident, or an attack on our physical bodies from a disease. As I mentioned on Sunday morning – none of us are exempt – we live on a fallen planet filled with sickness, death, and decay and we are all subject to its effects. The important things for us to remember are:

1. God is not the source of our suffering. When Adam & Eve sinned they rebelled against God’s authority and stepped outside of His protective boundaries and subjected themselves to the authority of another, one hell-bent on their destruction. That enemy, Satan, is the source of the evil and suffering in this world.

2. One glorious day God is going to liberate this world from its bondage to decay. Paul tells us that one day God is going to set the world to rights and rid this earth of pain and suffering (Romans 8:18-24). One day this world will be set free!

3. Because of this glorious hope, we will continue to fight the good fight. Paul reminds us that “Our present suffering does not compare to the glory that awaits the Sons of God” (Romans 8:18). No matter what hardship we are facing, we know that we can endure it just a little while longer. Why? Because we know that it pales in comparison to the glory that awaits those who place their faith in Christ.

Having this hope of future glory, how do we respond to the evil and suffering in the here and now? First of all, we pray as Jesus did, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Second, I believe that prayer is also a call to action as the Church responds to circumstances in the world around us that are in conflict with the will of God. We seek to advance the Kingdom of God on earth by fighting against the evil and suffering in our world.

This reminds me of the passage of Scripture in Micah 6:8 which says, “And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” I recently heard this passage of Scripture shortened to a three word motto for the church, “DO – LOVE – WALK”. These three words are all verbs, they are actions, and I believe that God has called the Church to action in responding to evil and suffering in the world around us. How will you respond?

I want to encourage you this week to look for ways that you can respond to evil and suffering in the world around us. You don’t have to travel half way around the world; it may just be next door. There is evil and suffering all around us, just open your eyes and ask God how He would have you respond. It may be in the form of comforting a hurting friend, neighbor, or co-worker. It may be through volunteering at the hospital or the local shelter. Whatever it is, know that when you do so you are the hands and feet of Christ to a hurting and broken world.

God Doesn't believe in Atheists

See this great cartoon at Dan's Pulpit.