Failure is not option. How many times have we heard that statement? Maybe you said that when discussing a work project or how you plan to raise your family. But, Life has a plan too. And, we do not have the luxury of glancing into its future even as much as we wish. There is one thing that we can count on in this life. That is failure. At some point in all of our lives, we will experience love, hate, success, and failure. Whether a small setback or a massive defeat, failure is inevitable and we will all experience its effects at least once.
Failure can be heartbreaking and ugly. But, worst of all, it has the tendency to go and pick up some of his friends. Friends like: disbelief, grief, and worst of all-FEAR. Failure has the tendency to bring fear in your life unannounced and uninvited. And, we all know that fear is tormenting. Just like a scary movie, fear draws you into a world full of a warped reality. As odd as it sounds, fear can’t harm you, but it can paralyze you with lies… especially after you experience failure.
Fear tells you, “You’ll never be anything.” “No one likes you.” “You can’t do it. Just give up.”
The Bible says that fear brings about torment. We all know this to be true. Just talk to a divorcee. When asking about their chances of remarrying, many reply out of fear produced by their past failed marriage and don’t even know. But, it is fear speaking when they say, “I don’t plan on doing that again.” Or ask college dropout when they plan on attending school again. Because of their failed attempt to gain an education, many will speak out of fear by stating that college isn’t for them.
Fear shows its ugly head in so many ways in our life. It is like a chameleon, adapting its disguise by what your current atmosphere is. So, instead of identifying itself as fear, it puts on the mask of jealously when someone else is succeeding in life. How is jealously and fear the same? Glad you asked… jealously is a display of fear because you are only jealous of whatever that other person has in fear that you will never be able to attain it (or maybe you failed to attain it before). Therefore, the fear of things that seem “unattainable” produce jealously in you when someone else attains those “unattainable” things. Get it?
Fear can also be displayed in through apathy. What is apathy? Apathy is the feeling of being unconcerned or seemingly lazy about a certain thing or topic. Apathy can be derived from true laziness or it can derive from the fear of failure. Once a person becomes waxed over by the fear of failure, they can pacify themselves by just “not caring” anymore. Therefore, becoming apathetic although all they truly wish to do is succeed in whatever area they were afraid to fail.
Fear is such a dominating force. Fear of danger will cause you to drive a different route home. Fear of loss will cause you to hang on tightly to something you should let go of. Fear of disapproval will cause you to seek out esteem where it’s being handed out. There is nothing good that comes from fear. Yet, some of us allow it to take years off of our lives.
Fear is tormenting. But, there is a solution. It’s the exact opposite of fear. And, no, it’s not courage because even someone with courage could experience fear in the same instance.
The opposite of fear is love. And, not just any love. Perfect love only given by our Heavenly Father.
With the perfect and perfecting love of God, one has no room to fear. Instead of fear, Christ brings power, LOVE, and a sound mind. Yeah. Fear is powerful. But, love is even more of a conqueror.
It was the love of God that allowed Christ to conquer death and the grave. His love is astoundingly mighty. It was the love of God that washed all our sins. His love is forgiving; unlike fear that tries to force you to live in your past. God’s love is redeeming; unlike fear that tells you that once you fail, you’ll never be able to get it right. God’s love is fulfilling; unlike fear that tries to bring about discontentment leading to jealously of others. God’s love comes to bring an abundant life; unlike fear that brings about apathy and a lack of interest in life itself.
God’s love is an undefeated champion. Fear is no match for His love because God is Love. When fear tries to invade your mind and heart, be of good courage. Fear will try to isolate you, so choose love. God’s love opens you up to the endless possibilities of a beautiful life.
So, when you are starting to feel depressed about a failure, immediately stop and combat fear. Failures will come. But, fear must stay behind. The benefit of failure is that you can learn from your mishaps. Fear brings no benefits. So, like everyone else says, “If at first you don’t succeed, go ahead and try again.” It’s a better option than fear.
Remember, failure is inevitable. But, fear? Fear is not an option.
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