A Welcomed Guest
How do you view failure in your life? As an unwelcome guest or a welcomed challenge for growth and learning? Have you ever thought about success through the lens of failure? The official NBA website states: “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.” The stats that back up that statement although too many to list in this article are simply astounding. I will name only the top 5 for the sake of time (and writing space): 6x NBA champion (1991-1993, 1996-1998), 6x NBA Finals MVP (1991-1993, 1996-1998), 5x NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991, 1992,1996, 1998), 14x NBA All-Star (1985-1993, 1996-1998, 2002, 2003), 3x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996,1998). And those are only the top 5 of a very long list of career highlights, awards and personal accomplishments. And although Michael Jordan experienced much success, when asked about failure, this is what he said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” I love that quote from Michael Jordan, because in it, you can see and hear how he lived out his view of failure…..as a welcomed challenge for both growth and learning. When I was younger failure stopped me dead in my tracks. I not only treated it as an unwelcomed guest but would wave a flag of defeat and deem myself unworthy. But now that I am older and hopefully a bit wiser I view things differently. Failure actually makes me work harder, motivates me and spurs me on to do better. This new attitude toward failure happened when I knew who I was in Christ, that my identity rests in Him.
When I was younger, if I failed, I thought I was a failure. But now I know who I am in Christ and I claim many promises from His word. With His help, I look to Him first for opportunities of growth. I’m obviously no Michael Jordan but I can now say I view failure as a welcomed challenge for growth and learning. I acknowledge my successes in life have been in large part due to my failures. There are several scriptures that have helped me in my pursuit of personal and professional growth. Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:13 whether in times of want or plenty that “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” And I love this promise in Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” And in Proverbs 24:16 we find, “No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long; Soon they’re up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.” So, how do you view failure? As an unwelcomed guest that robs you of progress or a welcomed challenge for growth and learning? Spend some time with that….it could change your trajectory.