January 16, 2014
Failure Isn’t Final
Taking the shot and missing is not failure. Failure is letting fear prevent you from taking the shot.
Failures and disappointments. Aches and pains from the past that just won’t seem to go away. Most of us know what it’s like to suffer from them but too few of us know just what to do about them. So we limp along, hoping somehow they’ll magically stop hurting. But it never happens that way. In fact, the passing of time often leaves us in worse condition–not better. Because, instead of putting those painful failures behind us, we often dwell on them until they become more real to us than the actual truth about us. We focus on them until we become bogged down in depression, frozen in our tracks by the fear that if we go on, we’ll only fail again.I used to get caught in that trap a lot. Then one day when I was right in the middle of a bout with depression, God spoke up inside me and said: “Scott, your problem is you’re forming your thoughts off the past instead of the future. Don’t do that! Unbelief looks at the past and says, “See, it can’t be done.” But faith looks at the future and says, “It can be done, and according to the promises of God, it is done!” Then putting past failures behind it forever, faith steps out and acts like the victory’s already been won. No matter how bad your past may be; you have an awesome future. Don’t allow the negative thoughts to depress you and stop you from stepping into your destiny. You have greatness inside of you. Are you ready to move past your past today?
October 15, 2013
Fear of Failure
Don’t allow fear of failure to cause you to fail.
When you make a mistake, unfortunately, the critics come out of the woodwork. People will tell you, “You’re all washed up. It’s too late.” If you wear that label, it will keep you from the amazing future God has in store. God says, “My mercy is bigger than any mistake.” God says, “I can still get you to your destiny.” God says, “I will give you beauty for those ashes. I’ll pay you back double for the unfair things that have happened.” You wouldn’t be alive unless God had another victory in your future. Why don’t you take off the “washed up” label? Take off the “failure,” “guilty,” “condemned” labels and put on some new labels: redeemed, restored, forgiven, bright future, new beginning. Always remember, you have been made in the image of God. God did not make any mistakes. You are the perfect size. You have the right personality, the right gifts, the right looks, the right skin color. You are not an accident. God designed you precisely for the race that is laid out for you. You are fully equipped for this life, and His mercy is greater than any mistake you could make. Embrace the truth and the victory He has in store for your future. Are you overcoming a fear of failure mentality?
September 13, 2013
Be Smart
Be patient after failure, and be smart. Tweak your process, but drastic measures are rarely necessary.
Having a process that you use in life will not guarantee that you don’t experience failure. As long as you are making a difference, working toward your destiny, and climbing your personal mountain you will go through the valley of failure. When you experience failure that is a good time to make some changes in your process. Usually small changes are all that are necessary. Sometimes we want to make all kinds of major, drastic changes that we will never be able to maintain. I understand that there will be times when major changes are needed. However, when you take a good honest look at your life and your process; chances are you will see that only a few small adjustments are needed. I have had major failures in my life and changes were made. However, small incremental changes have made a major difference. You are making a difference in your world. Don’t let failure knock you out of the game permanently. Don’t let those who try to tell you that you are not good enough stop you. Keep getting back up, dust yourself off, tweak your process and get back in the game. Do you need to make some small changes in your life today?
August 18, 2013
Insecurities
We all have insecurities, so we use those insecurities to prevent us from trying because we don’t want to think of the consequences of trying and failing.
Many people feel inadequate to do anything for God. God doesn’t see you as inadequate, He sees you as complete. In the Bible, Gideon was hiding out from his enemies. He was afraid and didn’t feel equipped to do what God called him to do. Gideon was focused on his circumstances and his limitations, but God was focused on what He could do through Gideon. Gideon felt weak, but God saw him as strong. Gideon felt unqualified, but God saw him as ready to do the job. Gideon felt insecure, but God saw him as full of boldness. Sure enough, when Gideon obeyed God, against all odds, he ended in victory! What can God do through you? It isn’t about how qualified you feel. It isn’t about how talented you are; it’s really about how yielded you are. When you obey God, when you trust Him beyond trusting your circumstances, that’s when His power becomes available to you. That’s when He can work through you and bring about greatness in every area of your life. Are you willing to try in spite of your insecurities?
August 13, 2013
Growing From Failure
Failure is not fatal unless you refuse to grow from the experience.
We all go through a pruning process. God will prune our lives so that we can bear much fruit. To “prune” means something is cut away, something is removed. In other words, maybe a good friend that you counted on moved to another city. Maybe a business shut down that you were connected to, or a relationship went a different direction. God knows what you need in your life in order to grow and flourish. Sometimes when things happen that we don’t understand, we have to just trust that He is working behind the scenes preparing you for increase, preparing you to go to another level. Don’t put a question mark where God has placed a period. When you’re going through transition, don’t get bitter. Don’t get down and think it’s the end. Don’t start thinking that you’re a failure. Have the attitude, If you will accept the change and stay in faith, God will open new doors. He will bring new opportunities, new friendships, and take you to another level of His glory. Are you growing from your failures?
July 31, 2013
Frustration
When we don’t have success, we often get frustrated that affects our ability to do our best.
This is what we would call failing which, in some cases, leads to failure. You can fail and more than likely you will, at something and not be a failure. You are not a failure until you give up. For some when they fail at a job, relationship, a goal will become discouraged and frustration sets in. Anytime you are frustrated you will have difficulty in doing your best job. This is turn leads to more disappointment and frustration. Learn to look at not having success as not failure, but a temporary setback that is leading to a setup. Failing at something is not the end of all ends. You have simply discovered another way of not doing it. Be careful to guard your mind when it comes to dealing with success or the lack of. Beware of a failure mindset which will only rob you of your destiny. You are not a failure even when you fail. Stay in a positive state of mind. Avoid the frustration thoughts that will try to attach themselves to you. Stay encouraged today! Be the champion you were designed to be. Make a difference in someone’s life. Are you handling frustration and failure in a positive way?
July 26, 2013
Finish
Whatever you do, finish it. Persevere through the doubts and failings.
Once you start working your process, walking out your destiny and purpose there are going to be ups and downs. There will be people telling you that you can’t do it, you will never make it, you don’t have what it takes. Get those thoughts and people out of your life. Move past the doubts, work through your failures. You have an assignment in life and you are expected to finish it. Many start but never complete their life mission. They allow difficulties, other’s opinions, and setbacks to stop them. Anybody can start, but it takes a strong person to finish. You are a finisher. You are a person of passion and purpose. You have what it takes to live your life full of purpose. Even when it looks like you are not moving forward in your life, don’t settle, don’t quit. There is no doubt and no failure big enough to stop you. You are a champion! Are you working on finishing your purpose in life?
June 4, 2013
Failure and Pain
Failure and pain are the entry fee for trying, the foundation for learning, the price–and proof–of living fully alive.
Some people only learn from failure and pain. These two aspects of life can be excellence teachers, but the key is for you to be an excellence student. Learn from them, but don’t stay with them. If you are trying to live a life of purpose then you will experience failure and pain. They are what qualify you for your destiny. Don’t let the failure and pain you experience cause you to stop learning and growing. Stay the course. Fight the good fight of faith. Never allow the negative aspects of failure and pain to prevent you from your best day ever. To be fully alive you will have to go through these areas. The key is don’t stay there. Get what you need to get a move forward. Are you learning, growing and moving forward from what you have learned from failure and pain?
June 3, 2013
Next Step
Most of life’s failures happen because people gave up when they were closer to success than they realized.
When asked what is the one of the major things I can tell people; I will sometimes say; “Never give up.” Too often I see people going through a tough time and just before they were about to breakout; they give up. Giving up is never the answer. Never give up on yourself. Just when you think you can’t take another step, another second, another day; take the next step and the next and so on. Don’t ever give in to the voices that are telling you that it’s too tough, too hard, never going to happen for you. There is always hope. As long as you have breath in your body, you have hope. It’s easy to give up and each time you do, it gets easier and easier. When you have worked long and hard for something it’s hard to give up. So keep working your process. Make the necessary changes and move forward. Never, never, never, never give up. Are you close to your breakout today?
May 12, 2013
Fail to Fail
If you fail at something, do not focus on what you have lost; focus on what you have gained.
One thing I’ve noticed is that so many people are walking around who aren’t really living to the full the way God intends. Do you ever notice that many people quit living around forty, but yet they are going to stay on the planet until after they’re eighty? Maybe they went through a disappointment or had a failure. Someone hurt them, and now they’ve lost their joy and settled where they are. No, God has another victory in store! You wouldn’t be breathing unless God had something amazing in your future. It’s time to get your passion back and be determined to really live out all of your God-given days! The Bible says that God wants to bring you to a flourishing finish, not a fizzled-out finish. Don’t let disappointment or self-pity hold you back. God has promised that what was meant for your harm He will turn around and use for your good. Not only will He bring you out, but He will bring you out better off than you were before. Receive it by faith today and press forward into the abundant, fulfilled life He has in store for you. Are you living a full life today?