Failing Is OkaySample

PLACE OF DEEPER TRUST

Be careful what you pray for. God will answer it! Your annoying colleague may be the answer to your prayer for patience. If you pray for deeper trust in God, He may take you through situations where your resources deplete and you are left with only Jesus. But that’s a good place to be in.

In Ephesus, Paul experienced agony far beyond his ability to endure (2 Cor. 1:8). The Corinthians considered him a weak failure. Given his reputation, one would expect Paul to tackle these problems with courage. Instead, he talks like a person battling depression. He despaired even of life, and felt he had received the sentence of death (2 Cor. 1:9)! Have you ever been there? With no light at the end of the tunnel? No one to understand? Paul learnt, and taught, that when the going gets tough, the weak rely on God who raises the dead. Wasn’t this Paul’s prayer and ambition? He wanted to, somehow, attain to the resurrection from the dead by becoming like Christ in His death (Phil. 3:10-11).

Never underestimate the power available in a decaying situation in your life, both personally and professionally. If you feel stretched, it is only to be propelled into the strong arms of God who gives life to the dead. God beckons us to a place of deeper trust. We arrive at this place empty-handed, relinquishing our resources, surrendering our dreams, and foregoing our definitions of success.

An old song captures it well:

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus

Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus

And He will turn your sorrow into joy.

Paul’s confidence in God’s saving power (2 Cor. 1:10) is admirable. He believed that the God who delivered him before will deliver him again and again! If God did it for Paul, he will do it again for you and me!

Prayer: Dear God, you know the decaying places in my heart. Breathe life and restore joy. Remind me that you are faithfully continuing your good work in me.