April 2025

Are you a failure?

B. Keith Chapman, President & CEO

At some point in life, we all experience failure. Failure can often bring a litany of unpleasant emotions like fear, anger, and pain. While these emotions can be humbling and outright crippling at times, we do not have to let them define our future. There is a difference between failing and wearing the label of a failure. It is all about perspective and mindset.  Let me give you an example. Have you ever told a lie? Everyone has told a lie at some point in the past. So, does that make you a liar? Most people do not want to consider themselves liars based on one or two moments of untruthfulness. The perpetual practice of lying would cause a more permanent label to be placed on a person. We don’t have to be defined by our failure. In fact, failure can be transformational. What we learn and how we grow after a setback can be life-changing.

There are so many very successful people in history who experienced failure early in their lives. If they had left the emotion from the failure unchecked, it could have devastated their life and careers. Albert Einstein couldn’t speak until he was almost four years old, and his teachers said he would never amount too much.  Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for lack of imagination and not having original ideas. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Failure was a foundational part of these gentlemen’s success stories. They made an intentional decision not to accept the label of failure. They learned and grew from their experience and moved on to accomplish great things. Proverbs 27:1 (NLT) says, “Don’t brag about tomorrow since you don’t know what the day will bring.” None of us know what tomorrow will bring. It could be full of success or covered in failure. Nonetheless, it will be our response to the challenges of life that will determine our future.

When we experience failure, we don’t have to navigate it alone. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” This passage reassures us that God can meet our needs even during failure. But He says that He comforts us so we can comfort others. If we are not careful, we can be so focused on ourselves that we miss the opportunity to encourage others. Regardless of your past or present situation, if you are still here on earth, you will experience some challenges occasionally. The Bible says that God gives sunlight to the good and evil and rain to the just and unjust. Regardless of our faithfulness, accomplishments, and decisions, we are all subject to experiencing the failures of life. Trusting in God to provide the comfort we need and encouraging those around us when they are struggling are essential parts of God’s perfect plan. 

As we roll into April, it is time to pause and reflect on our Lord and Savior’s death, burial, and resurrection. You see, many watched as Jesus died a horrific death. His death was seen by many as a total failure of His mission. Of course, opinions changed quickly when, on the third day, an empty tomb was the evidence of the greatest victory the world has or will ever experience. Don’t let the world around you or the battle in your own mind convince you that you are a failure. If you are reading this article, you have a future that can be filled with hope. There might be bumps along your journey, but we all have access to a God that is bigger than any of the problems or failures we will face.

Happy Easter. He is Risen!

Challenge: Understand that failure is a normal part of life. Remember that failure does not have to define who you are. Don’t accept the label of a failure. Use the setbacks and disappointment to learn and grow. Lean on God for the strength and support when you need it. Comfort others in their time of need.

Published: April 1, 2025

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