How does a Christian face failure, and the fear of failure? " His desire does not seem to have been visibly fulfilled, but the exercise of soul that it cost Jim did something at least to preserve him from what, for the average college student, is often a life of unmitigated selfishness. " That small anecdote from Shadow of the Almighty really made an impact on me (as is already obvious from the number of times it's appeared on different posts.) For different reasons. Not just the phrase 'life of unmitigated selfishness' (I think everyone around me is tired of hearing me quote that phrase by now. I should replace it with a neat little acronym out of consideration: LOUS. Which conveniently--or perhaps dangerously--sounds like LOUSE...but I'm distracting myself.) The other phrase which really struck me was the thought that Jim's desires--good desires, unarguably--came to nothing, to no visible success, despite his effort and labor. Personally, I've experienced this feeling so many times, and have dreaded it so much every time I think of attempting something, that reading this was mentally bawling "COME TO MY ARMS!" The great Jim Elliot experienced this too! It wasn't a problem that non-great people like myself struggled with because we weren't wise enough, or strong enough, or good enough! As we often tend to think. The fear of failure, and failure itself, can haunt us, can cripple us. Often, when I'm considering a new means of serving God/others, the main thing that I struggle with is the fear that it won't work out, that I'll fail, that people won't respond, won't be helped by it. That after pouring my best heart's blood and tears into it I will come to God empty handed. How does a Christian face failure, and the fear of failure? Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the LORD, and my work with my God. ~Isaiah 49:4 "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain..." How often I've felt like that--or imagined feeling like that, and dreading it. But surely, our just reward for our labors is with God. He knows the blood, sweat and tears we've poured willingly into this work. The sleepless nights. The challenges. They are not in vain. Surely, God has a just reward for us. He is a just God. Our labor for Him does not go unnoticed. Our efforts are precious to Him, regardless of their results. Our work is with Him. Beginning, process, and end. God sees them, not as we do from our limited, earthly perspective of time, but from 'bird's eye view', so to speak. Sometimes it's as simple as remembering that, to help us through our fear of failure. God already knows the end of our efforts. We don't have to fear 'disappointing Him' or somehow 'letting Him down.' And what's more, He is the One who enables us and guides us through our efforts--we are His instruments; He works through us. Even in our failures. Even in our mistakes. Our works are in His hands.
1 Comment
Dorkie
3/30/2014 12:03:12 pm
Thank you for sharing this post. Indeed, it tackles an important reason why people procrastinate- due to the fear of imperfection.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
a small voiceWe write to know ourselves. categories
All
Click to set custom HTML
archives
September 2021
|