As I’ve mentioned before, my brother Luke and I are taking advantage of CLEP testing and testing out of college classes alongside our high school work. I passed my first 6 CLEP tests. My seventh test was College Algebra, a subject I’ve not enjoyed, although my dad believes I’m better at it than I think I am. I studied and attempted the test…and failed. At the time I was more disappointed that I would have to re-study and re-test than the fact that I failed. But the morning before I tested I purposed to praise the Lord whether I passed or failed. Wow, that was tough! To praise the Lord for allowing me to fail and trust that His ways are better than mine, when it seems that finishing quickly and having it done is much better? It’s not something that you naturally want to do—especially on your least favorite subject. So I asked God to give me a good attitude about restudying math and asked that He would show me what He wants to teach me through this. Then I moved on to study for my next test—U.S. History I. I mostly enjoyed studying for that test because I enjoy history, especially U.S. History. I prepared, read, memorized, and went to take the test. Thinking I knew enough to pass, I was shocked when many strange questions came up—things I hadn’t studied or didn’t know well at all. I struggled and prayed a lot throughout the test, asking God to give me the wisdom to pass. After submitting my test, I looked at the score…and sighed. A 49. I needed a 50, and I received a 49. “Lord, not another test to repeat!” I thought. I was prompted again to praise Him, despite my feelings that conflicted. Despite the hardships, failings and troubles that may arise, it’s comforting to know that God knows best and that His ways work together for good for those that love Him (Rom. 8:28). And as I learned from a recent church memory verse we are to rejoice in suffering because suffering produces endurance and endurance character (Rom. 5:3-4). I’m also reminded of the words from the hymn It Is Well with My Soul that tell us “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul!”
In the midst of failure, we need to pray and ask the Lord to reveal to us what He is trying to teach us.
If you’ve failed at something recently, do you feel that God is asking you to:
- Work harder?
- Depend more on Him?
- Realize that you were too proud in that area?
- Humbly recognize that you can’t do things on your own?
- Submit your will to Him, trusting that whatever He allows is best?
- Persevere and try again?
Brett Harris says: “Failure is never wasted if we learn to do the following: (1) turn to God and become more reliant on Him, (2) learn from our mistakes, and (3) get back up and try again.” Even if you fail, you are not hopeless and the experience does not have to be wasted! Wait on the Lord and seek His face, trusting and looking to see what He will do through your circumstances! :)
"when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." Micah 7:8
