Failure & Rebuilding
As I rebuild in this season, I find myself wondering, hesitating, and asking way too many questions. What will this season bring, and is it worth the risk? Yet in the same breath, I anticipate beauty and a different outcome that goes beyond my wildest imagination. It’s an internal conflict and dialogue that Jesus knows all too well, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39) NKJV. As we’re rebuilding or trying again, nostalgia will hit like a ton of bricks first. You’ll recall how you used to do things and your mannerisms. Next, the chatter of flies attempts to infiltrate your ear gate, along with its best pal, doubt. With every push toward your goal, distractions await, and if you swirl your head along with them, you just might drown. Rebuilding calls for patience, grace, stillness, and always obedience. The blueprint for this season is to remain in God’s presence. I find it’s not what I don’t know that I wrestle with, it’s what I do. I know when I tried it before, it fell through. When I gave it my all, I got a different outcome; when I did everything I could, I still failed.
Peter, after denying Jesus, was taunted by his failure. He didn’t keep his word; he abandoned his Lord. With shame and guilt hovering over his head, he went back to the moment that changed his life forever: fishing. There, Jesus comes to Him, “ Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17) NKJV. Jesus commissioned and reinstated Peter. Peter rebuilds, this time with God. His latter is greater. He works in miracles, signs, and wonders all in the confidence of Christ. It’s powerful and striking. Peter embraces who he has become. It may seem impossible to find your footing as you pivot to a new approach, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
As you rebuild, steal some quiet moments with Jesus. Refuse to allow the noise and chatter in your mind to define you. Take every thought captive, then test and try them, even your own. Practice patience with yourself. If you weren’t able to get all that you wanted done at the time you hoped, applaud yourself for what you did complete. Feed your soul and not with doomscrolling. Cherish the present and all that you are learning. If I allow failure to define me, I’ll cripple my purpose with fear. If I allow God to define me, I’ll build for His purposes. Lastly, take into account everything you learned from your failures, and instead of seeing it through the eyes of condemnation, see it as your winning streak. After all, it’s what we learn from our experiences that sets us up for greater.
While watching King Richard: Based on a true story of Venus and Serena Williams, I was at a loss as to why the ending was “Spoiler alert* Serena losing her second-round match to top-ranked Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario. As someone who loves a refined and neat happy ending, I was not feeling too jolly over this one. I sat with the Lord on it. He reminded me: Daughter, not everything is about winning. And this is a small portion of her story, not all of it.” By the time the end credits rolled around, a list of some of Serena’s and Venus’s most significant achievements was listed. I sat jaw open, and a bit teary-eyed. Her loss was a learning experience, a buildup for what was to come; her most incredible comeback.
Your comeback awaits.
I’m praying for you!
P.S. I love Tennis!
Last Summer.
Be Encouraged,
Love Monica.
