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From Luke’s Journal Sept 2025 | Vol. 30 No. 2 | Success-Failure

I am an expert in failure.

However, with my life experiences, I have seen how God has turned my failures into successes.

Time after time.

Perspective and Expectations

How we define “success” and “failure” depends on our perspective and expectations. When our expectations (or the expectations of others) are met, we feel a sense of achievement, of success. Often, we measure our success by milestones we have erected to measure performance relative to expectations for that task, sometimes known as KPIs (key performance indicators). It is helpful to have objective measurements of our progress (so we can look back at how far we have come and remind ourselves of the goal we want to achieve).

What happens when we fail to meet our expectations? It is natural to feel disappointed that we have failed. We may ask ourselves why we failed – is it because our expectations were too high or too unrealistic? Or because we have done the wrong thing (or sinned)? Or was the failure all part of God’s bigger plan?

Whatever the reason for our failure, it is what we do as a result of the failure that matters. Some people go into a pit of depression and self-condemnation or become cynical – this is unhealthy and unhelpful. Others turn those situations into opportunities for self-discovery, growth and new beginnings, which is more in line with God’s will for us,

“… but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4 NIV).

As Winston Churchill once said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” However, many of us find it difficult to find the courage to continue in the face of failure.

Scriptural Truths

I would like to share some scriptural truths that I meditate on to help me when I need the courage to continue:

1. Remember God’s faithfulness: God has always been faithful to me, and I remind myself that when I have faced dangers and difficulties in the past, He has provided for me and protected me:

“Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day”

(Psalms 91:3-5 NIV).

When I face trials and temptations, I remember that God will never allow me to be tempted beyond my ability to cope, and He will always provide a way of escape for me:

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV).

Even when I have been faithless or had done the wrong thing, God remains faithful to me because of who He is:

“If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13).

God is good, He cares for me and has good plans for my life:

“ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11).

I merely need to trust and obey Him.

2. Remember God is with us, and we are not alone: He tells me not to be anxious, but instead to give my needs and desires to Him and to trust Him, and in return, He will give me His peace and be my comfort and guide:

“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7).

How often have I experienced that peace of God when faced with difficult circumstances or when I have not known what to do and have prayed to God for help.

3. Remember that God will use these circumstances for our good and for His purposes: God is economical, He never lets any opportunity go to waste. He can (and does) turn bad or challenging circumstances into opportunities for growth – personal growth, growth in our character and growth in our faith (Romans 5:3-5). God can also turn those circumstances around so that they become a blessing for believers (Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”). I have seen this time and time again in my own life where failure has redirected my life in new directions I had previously not considered. I can take comfort that ALL things work for the good of those who love God.

May God grant us the courage to trust God and continue faithfully in the face of failure.

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