Give Yourself Permission To Fail

I don’t know how many people that I have come across in this life that have told me, “I have failed at xyz, why try again? Why should I try anything new?”
My heart aches at the utter defeat that I hear in their voice. Failure and even the thought of it is a solid trauma response for some people.

I want to be able to understand the concept that the thought of failure brings fear or feelings of hopelessness. I too have my trigger trauma responses, in other areas in my life, but when it comes to trying, even with the possibility of failure, I am all in.

I think perhaps failingin my life, in front of many, while I was still young cured me of the fear of trying and failing as an adult. I saw that I was okay, that life went on, and I learned so much in the process.

Like the time I was on stage in front of hundreds if not thousands of people, and stumbled over my words at a Portland Miss Teen Pageant, not once but multiple times. That moment taught me that I don’t have to be afraid of the opinion of others. The Lord used this experience for me to feel free to speak in front of multitudes of classes of children about their ability to say no and stand up for themselves if someone tries to hurt them. To be able to be on the platform of churches and share my heart, or to sing on worship teams for years, even though at times it was messy. I now lead a broadcast and inspire others to shine their light. Do I feel capable? Of course not! Do I know that I mess up? Absolutely! I already know that I am not the most graceful person, and so do those all around me. It isn’t a secret. That is okay, I don’t need to be perfect, and neither do you to step out. You don’t need to be anything other than just what you are, who you are called to be, and being bold is a part of that. Be bold for HE is with you. The God of the heavens and the earth thought enough of you that he placed you on this earth for your purpose. Your purpose alone and nobody else. There is trying, learning, failing, and success.

I have learned over the years, that there are times that the Lord calls me to do what I feel is impossible, and that I am completely inadequate. so that He can show up. I have done many things, that in my own power would never have been able to do.

Then there were times that I know that I was called and walked out in obedience, and the outcome looks nothing like I expected. It was an utter flop and failure! I have even asked, “God, did I hear you correctly? I failed so badly!”

Then, comes, his assurance, “You are basing your success on your standards, not the outcome that I needed to happen. You were willing to be stretched and follow my leading, now watch what happens.” Sure enough, I see His hand use the small seed that I had sown and create a beautiful harvest. Even though I could not see what was coming, He did!

Failure may happen. We may be called to do something that we don’t know what the outcome will be, and we may feel like we failed. We may step out when the timing is not right and it looks deflating. BUT we can look at failing as an opportunity to say that we have tried and have learned exactly not what to do again. I have failed… so what. I may fail again…so what. What is the worst that can happen? I look foolish? Well, I have already done that!
But if ONE person is touched by stepping out of my comfort zone, it is worth it to risk failure. If ONE person is sparked to try because they see how they can do it better, it was worth the risk of failure. If I have learned something, it was worth the risk of failure.

If I don’t risk failure, or if I don’t have an attitude of ‘so what’, I will never see the success of the dreams buried deep in my heart. They will remain dormant because I chose the path of safety.
The greatest truth is that God has called us to be victorious. Philippians 4:13 says it all, ”  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

We may feel like we are failing, but we are in process of arriving. When we seek HIM first, He will guide us to the steps of preparing for the road ahead. He will set us up for success. We will not fail, with GOD leading our way, to walk out the plan that he has for our lives. EVERYTHING we walkthrough can be used for His glory. Failure ahead? Maybe there will be, but so what!!!

I AM all this and more!

 My in-laws passed down some valuable lessons to my husband during prayer time when he was a child. My husband then passed these very true facts down to our children and I over heard and learned as well.

 I still to this day need to make an effort to remember what my position is, what I have, and who I am in Christ.

 I AM above and not beneath.

I AM a winner not a loser.

I AM a believer not a doubter.

I AM blessed coming in and blessed going out.

I AM able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I AM the head and not the tail.

I AM what God says I am and I can DO what God says I can do.

I AM filled with love, power and a sound mind not a spirit of fear! I have the mind of Christ.

 When I stop and remember the truth rather than what my moment would have me believe it is then that I know I blessed. I see my atmosphere around me change. It is very hard to walk around in depression when I am speaking life over my home, children, husband, loved ones and self. It is not hard to have hope when I focus on HIM and the fact He is always faithful.

 It has taken a long time for me to believe these truths about myself. But truths they are and I will not forget them. 

 ALL situations will work out of for the good of those who love Him. I KNOW the Lord will work all things out for my good, because I love Him.

 I look at all the ways there has been grace in my life and all the way things already have worked out for good. I can trust that it will continue. I am one blessed gal.

 

 Challenge this day my friend: Even if you do not believe that YOU ARE, speak these truths, until the truth becomes alive in you. Speak the truth I AM until you ARE. We can do EVERYTHING He created us to do!

 Ephesians 2:10- 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 (NIV)