(Blogger‘s Note: This is the first in a two-post series on how I look at failure. I’ll post Part II this afternoon in the form a a 7-minute video – a short testimony from Dana and me, produced by Fellowship Bible Church of Jonesboro, AR)
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“I’ve come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy.” ~ Tony Robbins
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Kings of Failure. Queens of Regret.
Thank goodness God wants us to live in a Realm of Redemption because I invent new ways to fail every day.
And I wouldn’t exactly call failure my friend, but he’s someone with whom I’m very well acquainted.
In fact, up until not too long ago, when anyone asked me about the one thing in life that motivated me most, my response would’ve been – fear of failure. How screwed up is that?

One day in 2005, after nine months of training, and just moments after completing my first 26.2-mile marathon, all I could think about was the failure of having missed my finishing time goal by 20 minutes. The fact that I’d just finished the monumental race – unfortunately, it was meaningless.
One day in 2008 I woke up to the realization that I was divorced, a business failure, broke, and a likely disappointment in a new marriage to the most amazing woman I’d ever met.
And one day shortly thereafter, my professional and personal life went dark, absent of a vision, and I thought I’d never again have the opportunity to work again in the communication business I loved so much.
It took a long time to grasp, ever so slightly, the concept of Grace, and my freedom to fail without penalty.
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:12-14
Experienced failure? Let people down? Got guilt? Violated the very thing you knew was right?
What does God say to that? This, I think, maybe…
“I’m not going to ask for your transcript or your resume. Fallen short?
“It’s okay. And it’s okay to Own It. But I’m God, so for God’s Sake, Own It, But Stop Carrying it Around.”
Watch for the video post later today and see how, for Dana and me, our greatest failures turned into the realization of our most Laughable Dreams.
“The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of, and response to, failure.” ~ John Maxwell, Failing Forward
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Steve I totally agree! Richard Rohr) my favorite AUTHOR)says we need a dose of humility each day to destroy my ego (false self) and allow my real self to emerge. Jesus said “in my weakness HE is made strong. “
So how was your trip MC? Any good findings?