Have you ever wondered why some things seem to go wrong even when you’ve done your best to make everything right? Maybe you worked your fingers to a nub on a project for work only to have your boss reject it, or ask for a revision, just because of one slight oversight. Or you spend time planning a special night out with your significant other and they just seem distracted and uninterested. These kinds of situations can be quite discouraging if we allow them to be. But the truth is, disappointments and failures are only bad when you consider them as bad. In fact, disappointments and failures are all a part of growing in our relationship with God. There is always something to learn from our mistakes, but we first have to admit to those mistakes. Then we will be able to learn and grow through God’s wisdom.

Jesus told the church of Laodicea:

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” (Rev. 3:19; NASB)

Jesus loves each of us enough to allow us to fail. He also loves us enough to show us, through our mistakes and failures, how to get back on our feet. When we are doing something that may cause us harm in the future, the Lord will discipline us in ways that we might not consider very loving. But let’s face it, if He were too easy on us, He wouldn’t get our attention. We would just roll over the little bumps in the road and never think to change our ways.

Let’s take the example I gave at the beginning of your boss rejecting your work after you thought you did a great job. If that bothers you, it may be that the issue is not your work but the way you view rejection. If that sort of situation gets to you, it may be that the Lord is presenting you with an opportunity to work on that issue with Him. It takes prayer to find this sort of thing out. In the very next verse of the letter mentioned earlier, Jesus says:

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20)

The invitation is there for all of us. It takes humility to admit your mistakes, and a determination to change, so you don’t repeat them. It also takes healing within us not to judge ourselves by the failures and mistakes we’ve made. God reveals our brokenness through our everyday lives. If you are willing to seek Him and listen for when He knocks, He will bless you with His presence. This includes His wisdom and knowledge, which He freely gives to those who seek it. Then you can consider it all joy, failures and successes, knowing that God loves you and is with you through it all.

Have a great week and God bless.