Episode 41: How to Handle Failure
Failure is a part of life. There will be times we feel like we’ve let ourselves, let other’s down, or even let God down. But more important than failure itself is what we actually do with our failure.
King David was a complex man. He was a man who deeply loved God and chased after God’s heart, yet he was also an adulterer and murderer. He was a paradox.
In 2 Samuel 12:1-7 we see a story where David’s failure is exposed…(adultery with a woman bathing on a rooftop near the palace, and ordering her innocent husband to the front battle lines so he’d be killed after learning the woman got pregnant after his night with her. Can you spell YIKES?) David’s counselor, Nathan, posed a fictional story to David that highlighted David’s wrongful actions. Even though the men in Nathan’s story mirrored David’s sinful actions, David couldn’t see the connection until Nathan explicitly told him, “You are the man!” Instantly, David realizes what he has done and makes several important decisions as he handles his failure. We can learn these three key ways to handle our own failure from David’s life. When dealing with our own failure, we must:
1. Recognize your mistake.
David could recognize the problem in someone else, but not himself. He needed Nathan to identify his blind spot.
Some of us need people outside our circle to speak truth to us when we can’t see things straight.
2. Return to God and repent for your actions.
David says, “I have sinned against the Lord.” He doesn’t try to justify his actions, make excuses, or blame someone else. He owns it and moves straight towards repentance.
3. Resolve to keep moving forward
After spending time being remorseful for his actions he gets up.
He comforts Bathsheba and makes things right. Instead of running from her or ignoring her, he comforts her, and in turn, is comforted too.
He goes back to battle (2 Samuel 12:29) which is where he should have been in the first place!
Remember, no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, you are never too far for God’s grace to reach you. Failure is inevitable in this life, but it’s how you handle failure that will determine your future.
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