Failure is Not an Option

This past weekend, I felt like an ant pushing a boulder up a hill and like a drowning woman, as I struggled to set back up the computers in studio. 

As you may notice, I’m still at the dining table. The new computer came, I spent practically all weekend trying to set it up, even brought in a technician, but that 100% completion target was not accomplished. 

But, and there a big but: I am still here, I did not give up, I am pressing on and I still have a smile on my face. Why? Because failure is not an option and I have another opportunity to try again. Amen?!

I want to focus on what has kept me going for today’s exhortation. I can smile today in spite of the setback because I have not felt alone through the process. I have had a peace that I know only came from God, and I know that I am not defeated, I have not lost, help is on the way, and I am closer now to the goal.

I know this scenario is not unique to Angela. There might very well be some of you here who got up joyfully this morning in spite of a similar negative circumstance you are facing.

So let’s encourage ourselves in the Lord.

I want to take us to a place where we can learn some lessons from the ant and the ocean: the persistence of an ant and the desperation of someone left in the ocean without knowing how to swim. 

Let’s spend a few minutes thinking about that situation and learn some lesson about the power of perseverance and faith.

In Proverbs 6:6-8 NLT, we read: “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”

The ant can be seen as a brilliant example of diligence and persistence. It is so small, yet it is known for working unwaveringly to gather food and prepare for the future. It does not give up when faced with obstacles; rather, it finds a way around or through them. The ant's strength lies not in its physical power, but in its determination and commitment to achieving its goal. 

So like the ant, we can be driven by our deep-seated instinct to survive and thrive. We too can resolve that failure is not an option, no matter what challenging circumstances we encounter.

As we are still alive this very minute, we have the chance and we are encouraged to emulate the persistence of the ant. 

Yes we have setbacks and face times when we would meet upon failures, but we cannot afford to give up. Like the ant, we must press on, trusting that our efforts, no matter how small they seem, will yield results in due time. 

God has promised to work it out. Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

What about the analogy now of the ocean, as we learn how to merge desperation and faith.

I cannot swim, and at this stage of my life, I rather doubt I’m going to try to learn again. So I can imagine the horror of being thrown aboard and left in the vast ocean, all by myself.

This is serious, scary, panic sets in as we are struggling to stay afloat. If you can liken that difficult situation you’re in, similarly and burst through those feelings of despair declaring, I will survive, I will not give up, I will not die.

We will keep moving, we will reach out for help, for something—anything—that might keep us from drowning. Failure is not an option. Failure is just a setback, we still have life and we will dig another well as we pursue our goals.

Some of us might be in a desperate situation right now where we feel like we don’t know where to turn or what to do. But nothing is more urgent than the need for us to fight for the salvation of our souls. In faith, we are reassured that we can be victorious not only in our spiritual battles, but in our physical battles as well.

The Apostle Peter, when he attempted to walk on water toward Jesus, found himself sinking when his faith wavered. 

In Matthew 14:24-33, we read this beautiful and encouraging narrative: “Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.”

Family, when we meet with situations where it seems as though we have failed or will fail, let us remember that we can cry out to Jesus. This cry is a cry of faith. It is a cry for help to One who can help us to achieve what He wants us to achieve. 

We cry out to God with the confidence of knowing that we can depend on Him. This cry is a desperate plea for divine intervention from The One who can turn our negative situations around.

The ant teaches us to be diligent, to never give up, and to keep working toward our goals. The ocean scenario reminds us of the importance of faith—knowing that when we are at our weakest, God's strength is made perfect in us.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ““even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

It may be considered a simple message if you cannot place your difficult situation in comparison to these scenarios. 

We can in fact use these scenarios and jump start our dying dreams or failing projects. We can be encouraged to take a second look or try something different.

We can be as diligent as the ant, we must have the faith of someone who, when left in the ocean without knowing how to swim, trust God for rescue. 

Failure is not an option because we have been equipped with both the persistence to keep going and the faith to believe that God will see us through.

Let us, therefore, move forward with the resolve of the ant and the faith of one who depends entirely on God in the face of overwhelming odds. 

In doing so, we can boldly say that failure is not an option, for God is with us, guiding our steps and upholding us with His righteous hand.

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.” 

Today we can truly say with the Psalmist David in Psalms 94:17-19 “Unless the Lord had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”

aub - 2 September 2024

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