God specializes in failures.
The honest and open admittance to God that says, "I am a failure", presents a catalyst for him to send grace and mercy to such an individual.
God loves truth, and my confession to him (not to any priest or pastor) will turn things round, and bring hope where there is despair, joy where there is sadness, and victory where there has been defeat. When I confess my sin and failures to him, he is just and righteous to forgive me my sin, and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
When this happens, I rise in newness of mind and spirit, and with the certainty that I am more than an overcomer, more than a victor, more than a champion, through Jesus Christ and the power of his blood to destroy all the works of the enemy, and lift me to a life of freedom and joy in the Holy Ghost.
On the other hand, to keep talking to myself and confessing that I am a failure is not helpful, neither offers me any remedy. We can speak life to ourselves, or defeat and death. If we never come to God with open and truthful hearts, then we will wander through the wilderness of defeat and spiritual misery, looking for an answer, but not finding it.
It is in the honest confession of where I am, my evident lack of righteousness, and my failure to reach the mark, that I can find the door to liberty, faith, and the confidence that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Nothing is wrong in admitting to failure. Some of the greatest men that ever lived were more than willing and ready to admit defeat at times in their lives. It was from the recognition of their fallibility that they were able to get back up from the mud and disappointment of life, and reach for the sky.
An eminent speaker and businessman had employed a young man to assist him in his office. The youngster was very impressed with the man and his achievements, and wondered how he had become so successful and respected. One morning, he entered the great man's office and asked him, "Sir, if you do not mind, could I ask you how you came to the position you are in today?" The wise old man said, "Well my boy, by making the right decisions".
Later that day, the young man returned to the gentleman's office, and humbly requested a little more information. "Sir," he said, "Could I kindly ask you how you came to make those right decisions?"
"Most certainly, young man!", he replied, "By making the wrong ones!"
It was through the failures of some of the greatest servants of God that they actually became great. It was from their weakness that they became strong. It was out of their defeats and failures that they discovered the power of the Almighty was greater than their mistakes and inadequacies.
Hebrews 11 says: 'Through faith they subdued kingdoms (brought them down to the ground), lived righteous lives, obtained promises, shut the mouths of the lions that sought their destruction, quenched the violence of fire, out of weakness were made strong, grew mighty and bold in their warfare, and chased the alien armies out of their paths.'
Have faith in God, for he it is that will raise you up and deliver you from all your fears.
They were 'made' strong. They did not make themselves strong. From their situations and the hand of God upon them, they were made strong.
JGM 2022
