Not long ago I ran across this quote of Winston Churchill:
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm”.
The quote resonated with me.
If you know me, you know I typically have lots of enthusiasm. This quote reminded me that I am to get back up in the midst of failure and keep climbing the hill…with the same level of enthusiasm! This can be a tall order, especially in a culture that in many ways will tell you (any) failure is final. However, success is borne out of failure and success will be inevitable if we press on…
God’s word says I become stronger facing my failures – actually growing from them! (maybe Churchill knew what he was talking about). In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, God’s word tells me all I need to know. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
My human nature says… ”take it easy, just don’t try that again, Jay!”… The quote from Churchill communicates that I should not be deterred with a failure and, in fact, have no loss of my enthusiasm!
The Bible doesn’t say I should necessarily be excited about failures…but God’s word gives me the strength to learn and grow from my failures and in the midst of them. The Apostle Paul gives us the reason in Romans 5. And it’s an incredible formula to consider! He states…we should “glory in our sufferings.”
The Formula: [(Suffering + Faith + Time + Trust in God) = Hope]
James 1:2–4 even goes as far as to say not only am I to rejoice in sufferings but I am also to “consider it pure joy…whenever I face trials of many kinds.”
I can sometimes deal with suffering (aka failure) daily…in various forms such as: communicating, dealing with a customer or when my day doesn’t go as planned. But the key is to realize God’s grace is “sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)
Stay focused today and pray diligently for this day to be successful without loss of enthusiasm….in spite of the failures that will surely show up. Jesus has got you and HE PROVIDES HOPE IN THE MIDST OF OUR DAILY FAILURES.
Think and Pray: Are you seeking Him today? Lord, help me to remember that failure is not an option, it’s necessary for success. Help me stay enthusiastic when failure arrives so Your power can rest on me, for when I am weak, then I am strong. Amen.
Jay Emory is the President of BancFirst. He has been a financial professional for over 30 years. His stated purpose is to connect with men and women and impact their faith and financial lives through encouragement and connection. He also leads a CBMC Connect3 group at his office in Yukon every Wednesday morning.
