The Fear of Failure

I know that I myself, and many other people living in the world today, have a fear of failure. There are numerous opportunities to fail in the various pursuits one engages in. We can fail in relationships, education, and careers. We can even fail to accomplish remedial tasks like cooking an egg or tying our shoes. Now that I have you excited to go out and face the day, let’s step back and consider how we define failure. Is our definition of failure determined by the world? Do we live to impress our fellow men and climb above them on the ladder of success or do we live to fulfill the will of God, striving to please our creator? One might find himself like Jesus, completely unpopular in the eyes of humanity only to be lauded and praised by God.
God views failure quite differently than the average person does. Romans 8:1 states that there is “no condemnation in Christ”. God forgives mistakes much faster than the world. God’s first action is not to criticize and punish one who fails. Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him in Luke 22:31-32. However, he knew that Peter would turn back. We can all turn back from failure as God constantly gives us the opportunity to do so. Romans 8:28 lets us know that everything works out for those that love God. God allows us to profit from our failures. We learn and grow stronger from failure.
We will all fail at one point or another in our lives. Everyone makes bad choices and mistakes. However, we must never fall away from God. Our lives must be constantly centered on him. The failure that we must fear is displeasing God. When we take control of our lives away from God, we displease him. When we live without fear of consequences, always trying to satisfy the world, we deny God and fail him.