How to Handle Failure and Loss
Rom. 8:26-38
Many people struggle to handle failure and loss because they
have grown too accustomed to success. People who are unable
to deal with an imperfect set of circumstances often sink
into depression, anger or isolation. Hopelessness often
creeps in to the minds of those who cannot seem to handle
any kind of failure or loss. Examine the following
guidelines for allowing the Spirit of God to help us deal
with all types of failure and loss:
1. Believe that God is able to deliver you from any
disappointment in a way that will bring goodness, blessings
and greater glory to Him and His purposes in your life.
2. Thank God in advance for the way that His word and His
Spirit will work in and through you for greater godly
character as a result of a failure or loss.
3. God is greater than any problem, failure or loss because
He is sovereign in all situations. (Job 42:1,2)
4. Do not think it is strange or unusual to experience
failure or loss. Many godly people throughout church history
have undergone terrible defeats, failures and difficulties,
but have exhibit resilience by the power of God's Spirit
working in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
(Phil. 2:12-14)
5. Be bigger than the problems you face with the help of
Christ who helps you do everything He asks you to do. Phil.
4:13
6. Learn how to accept difficulties, failures and loss in a
way that will lead to new and better doors of opportunity.
Often times, as in the case of Joseph, Job and Paul,
failures provided new opportunities for them to exhibit
great displays of God's mighty power in their lives.
7. Gain a Biblical perspective by reading , studying and
meditating on His word during times of failure and loss. The
word of God has a sanctifying power that lifts us up above
and beyond any failure and loss pointing us to things above.
Then you will make your ways prosperous and then you will
have good success. (Josh. 1:8)
8. Be prepared to live, accept and be content with
imperfections, disappointments and critical people. Know
that God is able to fight all battles for you. Bless those
who persecute you. Bless and curse not. (Rom. 12:14) God is
able to use critical people to open up the silver lining
beyond every dark cloud.
9. Take an inventory of all the joys, benefits and blessings
you have in Christ and also in your heavenly home. (Phil.
2:1,2)
10. Do not have such a judgmental, perfectionist or lofty
expectations about yourself or your accomplishments. Often
times people set themselves up for feelings of failure and
loss because they have unrealistic expectations. Have a sane
estimate of your own abilities. (Rom. 12:3)
11. Stop comparing yourself with others since God has made
you unique with special talents that only you possess. (Jn
21:15)
12. James wrote, "We all stumble in many ways." (James 3:2)
Distinguish between failure in the world's eyes and failure
according to God's standards.
13. Realize that some people try to deny their failure and
so repress feelings that need to be dealt with. (I John 1:9
& Psa. 66:18)
14. Do not allow others to project their problems to you.
Some people attack and judge others for their own failures.
The Pharisees tried to do this with Jesus and the Jewish
leaders did the same with Paul.
15. Do not internalize failure or loss. Allow the grace,
love and acceptance of God's sovereign rule to overcome any
feelings of depression you might have.
16. Get around the company of people who love, trust and
accept you for who you are. If you are always around
negative people it will be hard to overcome feelings of
failure and loss. Find a fellowship that you can fit in with
that does not condemn, criticize or speak negatively of you
because of past failures. Go to places where you can pursue
righteousness, love, and peace with those who call on the
Lord from a pure heart." (2 Tim. 2:22-24)
17. Read, memorize and meditate on I Cor. 13:4-7 and Rom,
8:26-38 allowing it to flood your mind, emotions and mouth
with words of assurance that His love is greater than any
feelings of failure or loss you might have. He is really for
you. He loves you. He accepts you. His love bears all
things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures
all things. His love for us never fails. Know that God hates
the sin but always loves the sinner.
Paul Fritz
Friend of Answers2Prayer, PPaulfritz@aol.com