Spectacular Failure!

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat
and walked on the water toward Jesus.—Matthew 14:28–29

Failure is not always a bad thing, because failure will precede success. Failure can actually teach us success because we can learn from our mistakes.

It has been said that if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. But let me restate that in a new way: If at first you don’t succeed, relax. You are just like the rest of us.

We beat ourselves up when we fail because we didn’t emerge with the greatest success of all time. But often it is through process of learning what not to do that we better learn what to do in the future.

In Matthew 14 we find the story of a failure, one of the most spectacular failures of all time. It is the story of Peter, who walked on the water with Jesus. It is also the story of his sinking after he walked on the water with Jesus. But the fact is, the Bible tells us that Peter “went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus” (verse 29).

That was a great moment, and whatever followed cannot undo it. We can find fault with Peter for a number of things, but no one else in the boat attempted to do what Peter did. It is easy to sit like armchair quarterbacks and critique people who are out there leading, out there trying to make a difference.

But we need to ask ourselves, “What have I done lately? Have I taken a risk for the kingdom of God ?” I would far rather try and fail than never do anything at all.

Greg Laurie, Copyright © 2011 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
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Failure doesn’t mean that you are a failure;
it does mean you haven’t yet succeeded.

Failure doesn’t mean that you have accomplished nothing;
it does mean you have learned something.

Failure doesn’t mean that you have been a fool;
it does mean you have a lot of faith.

Failure doesn’t mean that you have been disgraced;
it does mean you were willing to try.

Failure doesn’t mean you don’t have it;
it does mean you have to do something in a different way.

Failure doesn’t mean you are inferior;
it does mean you are not perfect.

Failure doesn’t mean you’ve wasted your life;
it does mean you have a reason to start afresh.

Failure doesn’t mean you should give up;
it does mean you must try harder.

Failure doesn’t mean you will never make it;
it does mean it will take a little longer.

Failure doesn’t mean God has abandoned you;
it does mean God has a better way

Failure is an event, NEVER a person!