How to Be a Champion for the Lord

08/01/24 – 08/18/24

Champions Know How to Fail

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/16/24

In His infinite love, God watches as we stumble along the path of life, opening His arms wide again and again to us. However, many believers are stranded along life’s narrow road because they do not know how to recover from failure. Falling into sin and disobedience leads to dangerous territory, yet God wants us to know He is the great Redeemer. He can transform our most dismal failures into victories.

Sin has dangerous consequences. However, when we do stumble, we must remember that the shame we feel is miniscule in comparison to the love God has for us.

Our guilt should drive us to the cross where we are reminded of God’s amazing plan of redemption. Real champions know how to get back up and keep going because they draw on God’s grace. It isn’t weakness to know your need for God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy. Everyone will be challenged in their faith. The strong are those who run to God and take refuge in Him, as Paul said, “[W]hen I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Looking at our failures as being unforgivable is an injustice to the life and death of Jesus Christ. Once we have asked God to forgive us, we must view each failure as a teachable moment—a time where we gain God’s wisdom and understanding.

When we humble ourselves before Him, we must remember that God can take the weakest moments of our lives and turn them into stepping stones on the path to spiritual transformation. And as we approach our heavenly Father with open ears to hear His direction for our lives, we must remember that He can carry us from the darkest valleys to the mountaintop.

Prayer: Lord, help me to learn from my mistakes. Change me as I submit my life to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.