You Need to Accept the Reality of Failure - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - October 17, 2018
You Need to Accept the Reality of Failure
By Rick Warren
“There is no one on earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake”(Ecclesiastes 7:20 GNT).
In America, failure is almost the unpardonable sin. We idolize success. But that kind of pressure creates major stress on people. The fear of failure has many different faces. It can cause you to be indecisive, a workaholic, and a perfectionist who clings to safety. Because we’re afraid to fail, we shun all kinds of risks.
For many of us, that fear of failure has an iron grip on our hearts. Even some of the best and the brightest people in the world are the most impacted by a fear of failure.
That’s why I urge you to internalize this one simple message: We’ve all made mistakes. It’s not just a “you problem”; it’s a human problem. The Bible says, “There is no one on earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 GNT).
Not only have you made mistakes in the past, but you’ll also make more in the future. I guarantee it. Even playing it safe and refusing to take risks is a mistake.
As a pastor, I hear people ask all the time, “What if I fail?” I want to ask them, “What do you mean if?”
You’ve already failed many, many times in life. So have I. You’re a failure in some area of your life right now. And you’ll fail a lot more in the future.
Even superstars stumble. The greatest professional basketball players only sink half their shots. The best professional baseball players will get out two out of every three at bats. Failure is normal.
You’ll never overcome your fear of failure until you fully accept the reality that you’re not perfect.
The Bible says there is only one failure you need to fear: “Be careful that no one fails to receive God’s grace” (Hebrews 12:15 NCV).
You need grace. We all do!
Only when we let go of the fear of failure will it let go of its maddening grip on our lives. Once that happens, we can fully accept the grace of God.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Choose Joy Devotional Book
You can live with joy even when life is hard!
Joy is a daily choice. But when you go through difficult times, joy becomes hard to sustain. It’s a choice you have to make minute by minute.
In her inspiring Choose Joy devotional book, Kay Warren offers 30 short readings that will empower you to choose joy, no matter what you’re facing.
You’ll be encouraged by powerful Scriptures, a reflection from Kay and a short prayer for each devotional—to help guide you closer to the Lord.
Find out how to live with joy even when . . .
• Your plans are shattered
• Your health fails, or
• You feel like you’re walking through life alone.
The hardcover Choose Joy devotional is our way to say thanks for your donation today to help share the hope of Jesus with more people around the world.
So request your copy as you give today, so no matter what you’re going through, you can learn to choose joy—today, tomorrow, and always!
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
