I KNOW some people who never like to use the word “failure.” One of them is Mr. Henry Sy, Sr. I once wrote an article entitled “Mr. Henry Sy on Failure”. When I had him read it before it was to be included in my book, “My Dearest Children,” I got a call from his office requesting me to have it removed from the articles. I have written it in a positive way. Apparently, he did not want to be associated with the negative term “failure.”
He definitely has a different mindset from most of us. And who can contest his perspective, when he is associated with the word “success”, and has “got it all.”
Somehow, I can understand him because, I don’t like to use the phrase, “I am stressed,” also, as I find it quite negative, too.
So, since that reminder from a successful person, I have preferred to use the phrase “temporary setback” instead of the word “failure”.
Nevertheless, for those among us who still use the term “failure,” how do we avoid failure (aside from avoiding the term)?
Rick Warren in one of his articles mentioned 3 ways: include the Lord in all that we do, cooperate with the Lord’s wishes, anticipate God’s blessings.
My insight: When what we do is offered to God, it becomes His project, and God never fails. There may be temporary setbacks, but they are still God’s plans for us. Keep in mind God’s promise: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
We cooperate with God when we follow His will. His desires are laid out clearly for us. He teaches us to do what is right. Many teachings found in Proverbs, among other books, are so applicable in our lives that they are the perfect guides for business and for life.
When we wait expectantly in faith, God answers us. He reminds us that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Our concerns in life do not usually even require such great actions, but nothing is impossible with God.
My Dearest Children, when we face temporary setbacks in life, let us keep in mind that God knows best, and He has great plans for us. He wants us to be happy. But he wants us to follow His will to achieve these. It is usually during challenging times that we are reminded to turn to Him, and remember that “everything comes from Him, everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory”. Finally, after doing our best and praying for the best, let us wait expectantly in faith.
Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Avoid failure. Partner with God.