How To Handle Failure And Loss

How to Handle Failure and Loss - Rom. 8:26-31

Have you ever known someone who seemed to enjoy success in nearly every aspect of their life? Many of these folks struggle to handle failure and loss because they have grown too accustom to triumphs. People who are unable to deal with an imperfect set of circumstances often sink into depression, anger or isolation.

Illustration:Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all...As long as matters are really hopeful, hope is mere flattery or platitude; it is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be a strength.

G.K. Chesterton, Signs of the Times, April 1993

Hopelessness often creeps in to the minds of those who cannot seem to handle any kind of failure or loss. Let us look at a few guidelines for allowing the Spirit of God to help us deal with all types of failure and loss:

1. Believe that God is able to deliver you from any disappointment in a way that will bring goodness, blessings and greater glory to Him and His purposes in your life. Those who believe in Him will not be disappointed, Paul wrote in Romans 5. There is great power in believing God for His promises.

We are able to tolerate misfortune and hardship and disappointments when we know that God is able to intercede for our good in all things. (Rom. 8:28)

Illustration:"Here it appears either Paul or Barnabas went too far. It must have been a violent disagreement to separate two associates who were so closely united. Indeed, the text indicates as much.

"Such examples are written for our consolation: for it is a great comfort to us to hear that great saints, who have the Spirit of God, also struggle. Those who say that saints do not sin would deprive us of this comfort.

"Samson, David, and many other celebrated men full of the Holy Spirit fell into grievous sins. Job and Jeremiah cursed the day of their birth; Elijah and Jonah were weary of life and desired death.

"No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again. Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall. If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again."

Martin Luther.

2. Thank God in advance for the way that His word and His Spirit will work in and through you for greater godly character as a result of the failure or loss. When we see God’s purpose in every disappointment we are able to over ride any feelings of depression. God is greater than any problem, failure or loss because He is sovereign in all situations.

3. Do not think it is strange or unusual to experience failure or loss. Many godly people throughout church history have undergone terrible defeats, failures and difficulties, but have exhibit resilience by the power of God’s Spirit working in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:12-14) Thank God in advance instead of giving in to a feeling of complaining, murmuring or disputing. Be bigger than the problems you face with the help of Christ who helps you do everything He asks you to do. PHil. 4:13

4. Learn how to accept difficulties, failures and loss in a way that will lead to new and better doors of opportunity. Often times, as in the case of Joseph, Job and Paul, failures provided new opportunities for them to exhibit great displays of God’s mighty power in their lives. We can be assured that God is not going to let anyone down despite how we may feel at the time.

5. Gain a Biblical perspective by reading , studying and meditating on His word during times of failure and loss. The word of God has a sanctifying power that lifts us up above and beyond any failure and loss pointing us to things above. Give yourself a heightened perspective when by spending at least 15 minutes every morning reading and studying God’s word. Then you will make your ways prosperous and then you will have good success. (Josh. 1:8)

6. Be prepared to live, accept and be content with imperfections, disapointments and critical people. Know that God is able to fight all battles for you. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and curse not. (Rom. 12:14) God is able to use critical people to open up the silver lining beyind every dark cloud.

7. Remember that Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me so send I you." (john 20:21) Recognize that Jesus experienced great hardships, pains and loss but He went all the way to Calvary for our sake. Fix your eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of your faith with His eyes on the joy that was before Him. (Heb 12:1,2)