The sun will rise again (II)

(…continued from last week)

4. Recognize the benefits of failure. Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”

Failure is education. Thomas Edison, commenting on one of his MANY failed experiments, said, “Don’t call it a failure. Call it an education!” At the very least, failure shows you what doesn’t work.  Failure makes you more cautious. Failure forces you to be more creative; you look for new ways to do things. Failure prevents arrogance and egotism. If everything you did was a stunning success, no one could live with you! Failure causes you to re-evaluate what’s important in life. Failure is one way God gets us to reflect on the direction of our lives. “Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.” (Proverbs 20:30, GN) 

Ask God for wisdom to understand the cause of your failure. Ask, “Why did I fail? Is there any reason I might have set myself up to fail?” 

There are many unconscious reasons we sometimes sabotage our own efforts: 

• A fear of success: Success may mean handling more responsibility than you want to carry. 

• A sense of guilt: If you feel you don’t deserve to succeed, you may have set yourself up to fail. 

• An attitude of resentment: Some people fail as a way to get even with those who are pressuring them to succeed.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all.” (James 1:5, NIV) 

5. Forget the past and focus on the future

Your past is past!  It’s water under the bridge. You can’t change it so you may as well stop worrying about it.

‘Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back; I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:13-14, GW) 

We serve a God not only of second chances but another chance – failure is never FINAL unless you let it be!  

6. Look for a way out. Most people in the valley are looking for sympathy instead of a way out.

The sun that went out didn’t go out. It went down but not out. It will rise again! Meditate on the following facts about the valley:

Your valley experience is for a season. Your valley experience is for a reason. Your valley experience reveals your strength. The valley is where God reveals your true value. Your valley experience reveals your weaknesses. Your valley experience reveals your true friends. Your valley experience reveals God’s love, comfort and faithfulness. Failure is not final!

Realise that when you are down to nothing, God is up to something. The bible says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5. There is life beyond this problem. You may be down but you are not out. 

What is a valley?

The valley is a place of many questions but few answers. The valley is the place of uncertainty.

The valley is the place of loneliness. The valley is the place of sober reflections and stock-taking. It is also a place of opportunities – Joseph met Pharaoh’s cup bearer in what seemed to be the worst moment of his life. 

7. Rely on Christ. Most people in the valley are looking for sympathy instead of a way out. A pity party will only postpone your victory.

The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens; I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11,13; NCV)

If you want to be happy no matter what happens, do the following: 

Lean on Christ for stability. ‘Such a person will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God?s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that God will take care of him.’ (Psalm 112:6-7, LB) 

Listen to Christ for direction. “‘I know what I am planning for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NCV) 

Look to Christ for salvation. “God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea.” (Psalm 46:2, NCV) 

A crisis creates a moment in your life when you can shift your dependence to something that can never be taken from you. Through it, God can teach us that we may lose our homes, our careers, our marriages, or our health, but we will never, ever lose our relationship with God. He promised to never leave us or forsake us – and that’s an eternal security we can build our lives on. 

‘We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it … we saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us … And he did help us and save us … and we expect him to do it again and again.’ (2Corinthians 1:9-10, TLB) 

With God, your set back is really a set up. Say to yourself as often as you can, ‘I am a survivor. I’ve got to finish. I’ve been through much and come too far to give up. If I give up now, the impression I’ll leave is that of a failure.’ One thing is certain, you will win if you don’t quit.  

The God who brought Joseph out of the prison and made him a prime minister will certainly bring you out of the current situation. I see you rising from the pit to the top of the mountain. Your valley experience is about to be over! You may not be able to regain everything you’ve lost, but God will compensate you with something much bigger and better.  

Bishop Dr Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.