Failure happens. Not just for some people, but for everyone. The question is will we choose to have an optimistic outlook about failure. Are you OK with failure? Or are you hiding your failures in an attempt to look perfect? Let’s get real and be honest. Failure can be the best thing that ever happened to you.
I’m No Donna Reed
I might look like her in this apron, but I’m no Donna Reed. If you don’t know who she is, then we’ll just say I’m no Martha Stewart. (If you don’t know who that is then I can’t help you.) That apron is purely for inspiration. I like eating more than cooking, so I’m inevitably forced to get creative in the kitchen.
Feeling particularly industrious one day I decided to take the roma tomatoes from my little garden, peel them (this took forever!) and make marinara sauce. I put the tomatoes, onions, peppers and various Italian seasonings in the crockpot to cook on low overnight.
Trying it the next morning it tasted bitter, so I added a little sugar (my Grandma always put a little sugar in EVERYTHING!) and some more seasonings. That night at dinner I served my family ravioli and “marinara” sauce. They were silent as they ate and after I took one bite I said, “I’m just gonna throw this out there. This is the worst sauce I have ever tasted!” We all started laughing.
And that’s not my only homemaking failure:
Making liquid hand soap: This was a great idea from my sister Alison. But mine was too runny, or too thick, it dried out your hands, and squirted you in the face coming out of the pump. I’m not kidding!
Making laundry soap: I got this idea online. I was determined to make this work because it’s incredibly cheap. But, no luck. It turned all of my whites a dirty yellow color—back to Tide and Downy for me.
Baking soda: Just in case you’ve ever wondered, baking soda is a necessary component in BAKING. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
Failures CAN Lead to Success
Usually we tend to cringe when considering our failures—especially when they’re more painful than simple homemaking mishaps. Failing the people we love most can be heartbreaking, but don’t give up. Failures CAN lead to success.
“Failures are the fingerposts on the road to achievement.” C.S. Lewis
Angry Outbursts or Unkind Words—an opportunity to build relationship through honest repentance and kindness.
Misplaced Priorities—a chance to consider your values and learn to set boundaries.
Getting Fired—an opening to passionately pursue your strengths and develop perseverance.
The path to success is often peppered with mistakes and mishaps. Facing the adversity of failure will enable you to cultivate resilience, creativity, maturity and character.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
Ultimately, failure can lead us to the realization that true success is in knowing the depth of God’s love for us and sharing that love with others.
Are you ok with failure? How has failure lead to success in your life?
Shari says
At the time of failure, honestly, I’m not ok with it. I’m ok with the big picture, in hindsight, but it is a drag to fail. I like your examples. They made me giggle in empathy. ;o) And yes, though I can laugh at some failures, I cringe and cry at others. All of them have lead to humility and openness to see it God’s way. There can be a good outcome to failure, as you said. When it leads to personal maturity and understanding. And then it leads to clarity about the future and the past. Wisdom. Then I’m ok! The key for me was to not let the failure define the past or the future in a negative way. Working on that still. But there is grace and the blessings of experience redeemed that fuels hope and optimism about how to approach the future.
Angela Howard says
This post could definitely have a “part 2.” I like what you brought up about not letting failure define the past or the future in a negative way. So much to say on this topic! I really appreciate your insights.
Andrea Garner says
This is from your niece Gracie:
Auntie I love your blog. It always makes me feel good when I am sad. It always has something that I need. Thank you for that.
Love Gracie
10years old
Angela Howard says
Sweet Gracie – God always gives us what we need! I’m so happy that I can be a little part of sharing His word with you. I love you!