“Have you failed yet?” My friend and coach asks my workout partner and me this during an early morning session. We both shake our heads. “Then you’re not done.” We take turns adding more weight to our bar until we can’t lift it. After we’re finished, we high-five each other and cheer, “We failed!”
Before you think I’m some super athlete, let me give a few disclaimers. I’m awkward and naturally uncoordinated. I run like a duck. I managed to injure myself on a stationary bike. I fell down in the middle of class today (yes, really). But I do love getting stronger — mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.
One way I’m doing so is by reshaping how I see failure. At the gym, we’re told to “go to failure” on certain exercises. In other words, figure out the maximum you can do, which you only find out by failing. When that’s the task, failure is success.
The world tells us the opposite: “Go for success. Make sure you look good. Don’t try anything too hard. Play it safe. Keep your image intact.”
But the Apostle Paul said, “I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT). When I read this verse in the past I sometimes thought, “Whew, Paul, you’re a little crazy.” But lately, I’m starting to understand.
We see moments of failure as reasons for shame. But what if we shift our perspective? When you “go to failure,” it means you have given your best. You’ve tried as hard as you could. You refused to give up. You used every bit of strength you had. You didn’t fail; you found your growth point. Once you’ve gone to “failure,” it’s time for recovery, to ask, “What did I do well and what do I want to do differently next time?”
I recently walked through a challenging situation. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to fix it. I did and said everything I could, but the outcome remained the same. I kept telling myself, “You failed.” But now I’ve started to say instead, “You went to failure, which means you did your best, and that’s all anyone can do.”
What are you working through right now? Maybe there’s a broken relationship you can’t mend, a goal you can’t reach, a dream that hasn’t yet come true. You might have a vision for your future and keep falling short of it, something you’d love to create that isn’t turning out how you see it in your mind, or you’re wrestling through hard questions with your faith. Perhaps you’ve felt discouraged or disheartened, compared yourself to others who seem stronger, or keep asking the question I did, “Why am I so weak?”
The answer: You are not weak. You are choosing to “go to failure.” You’re pushing your limits, You’re growing. You’re getting stronger. The next relationship you have, you’ll be wiser. The next project you work on, you’ll know more. The next risk you take, you’ll have greater courage.
The really good news? You won’t be doing it alone. God will be with you in every moment. When my partner finally failed at lifting her weight I said, “It’s okay, I’ve got you.” Then together we lifted her bar.
God says the same to you. He’s got you. No matter how weak you feel today, you’re still making progress. You may have maxed out for now and that’s okay. Well done for giving it your all. Now it’s time to rest, recover, and try again when you’re ready.
Remind your strong-but-weary heart of this today: Sometimes failure is success.
Are you in a season where you need more strength and encouragement? You’ll find it in Holley’s devotional book, What Your Mind Needs for Anxious Moments! Get a free except here.
Amen, Holley! I’m currently recruiting women to join our Titus 2 ministry as mentors to younger women. I am scared of the approaching start date & getting a lot of noes. 2 lessons I’m learning us God’s timing is perfect even if it seems late to me & I need to be/can be gracious to those telling me know. I am failing at recruiting but God is & will be magnified in each answer! Blessings! (((0)))
Those are great lessons, Ruth!
How inspiring. Such a helpful approach for me. Thank you for your insight.
I’m recovering from spinal surgery last year with replacing a spinal cord stim in my back to help with my RSD pain. I had that surgery a few times and know that the first few days are very very painful. I had been making progress but when they calibrated my device, there was a malfunction and I was electrocuted and suffered full body tremors and extreme pain. I couldn’t walk for 4 weeks, my husband literally carried me from bed to anywhere. I felt failure. I had to go thru months of painful PT&OT to finally be able to leave my bedroom with assistance. I’m still using walker/wheelchair. I hope to get back to using only a cane again. I haven’t been able to drive since surgery last February. I’m facing some setbacks with pain and anxiety and feeling I’m failing at recovering. But reading your words today, gives me renewed hope that when PT says I have plateaued -in my mind a fail, but that is ok. You have spoken to my weary,anxious ridden heart, that I’m still making progress. I am not alone. Jesus is right along with me &my loved ones taking care of me lighting the path ahead and renewing our strength each day. You and your words are a blessing. Thank you
Kathleen, healing is such difficult work. May you be given a greater sense of our Heavenly Father’s presence with you and feel it in a comforting way today. Hugs.
Thank you so very much, Pearl for your kind words of faith and prayer. And I’m sending a hug and prayers for you as well. Thank you for providing comfort this morning.
Saying a prayer for you today as you continue your healing journey, Kathleen!
Wow! This is a totally new perspective for me. Thank you, Holley !
I love this concept, Holley! I’m going to try it out today. I had noticed that you were looking more fit in your pix, by the way. You inspire the rest of us!
Thanks for the compliment, Irene!
My eyes may or may not be leaking right now. I so needed this. Thank you.
Tears are healing, I’m so glad this spoke to your heart, Pearl.
Thank you for these encouraging words, “He’s got you (Me). No matter how weak you (I) feel today, you’re (I’m) still making progress.”
I say that no matter how lousy I feel, I am making progress. Yes!
Thank you so much for your words today, Holley.
That is a different perspective. I, too, have been
very frustrated with health issues, and wondering
when I can feel some freedom in this area of my
life. Perhaps this approach will be helpful. I know
that Jesus is with me on the great days and the
very challenging days. In my weakness, I know that
I need to lean into Jesus for His strength.
Blessings and love to you.
Wow! Perfect read for me today. I’ve been struggling with “what else could I have done?” in a relationship. This gives me a new perspective. Thank you
The biggest situation I’ve applied this to involved a relationship too and I’ve asked myself the same question. I’m so glad it was helpful as we’re both healing.
Holley,
I loved this!! Sometimes failure is success!! Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times before making the light bulb. He said “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb is an invention with 1,000 steps.” Edison told his assistant “Oh, we have come a long way and we have learned a lot. We now know that there are two thousand elements which we cannot use to make a good light bulb.” He saw failure as success. He learned from his failures & got up & tried again. He is someone we should emulate. I’m going to make this my mantra Failure is success.
Blessings 🙂