In life, our perceptions drive us. We often believe that, when we don't reach our goals the way we expected to, we have failed. We have big God-given dreams. When we hear the call of God, we know we can do it. We hear the Word of God with confidence and run to tell someone. Then, opposition arrives, and, as obstacles come, we feel as though we've made a mistake, and, in fear, we often give up before we can accomplish the goal. Regrettably, that's when we create our own concepts of failure based on our fears of inadequacy and many times the eschewed views or disbelief of others.
It is imperative for us to realize that our shortcomings lead to perseverance and that consistency is what God wants us to cherish. We have to realize that is most amazing about us is that we do not succumb to challenges; rather, we push through with vehement fervor! The word of God says, "We are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction)." Hebrews 10:39. It is necessary for us to remember that, if we choose to live in fear of the obstacles that come with our calling, we also choose to drown in the regret that will accompany the pain or feelings of defeat. Unfortunately, the disappointment that comes with a dream deferred is far more damaging than our falling short of our goals as we persevere.
We have a choice: either we continue to press toward our goals, intimidated and fearful (many times with tears in our eyes and streaming down our faces) or we recoil and regret not moving forward for the rest of our lives.
I encouraged (even beseech) you to change your perceptions and ideas about failure. Know unequivocally that when we choose to try, we shall not fail. However, if we refuse to try, we have failed already.
As of today, know that we have not failed. As long as we still have air circulating through our lungs and a beating heart, we can touch our dreams, we can accomplish our goals, we can make it to and live in our Canaan. No one can stop us but us.
Selah
Sometimes we make unorthodox decisions based on the intent of our hearts. Whether it be that we are too passionate, too caring or too overwhelmed, many of our decisions usually come from a good place...or so we think...at least we hope.
The awesome thing about God and His way of working things out for our good (Romans 8:28) is that we receive a lesson from every aspect of our situations. When we overact, for instance, we surmise that we need to learn patience. When we lie, we learn that the opinions of others are more important to us than having or keeping our integrity. And, when we allow people to use us, we understand that we fail to value the precious anointing God has placed in us...that perhaps we don't feel as though we deserve happiness...that we, instead, are placed in the lives of others to serve them rather than God. Maybe we may even enjoy the control we have over someone that constantly depends on us rather than trusting in God.
The greatest lesson we can learn from the fullness of our sufferings and inconsistencies is how we see ourselves.
Once our true character is tried by the dilemmas we face we may find ourselves saying, "Who am I, really?"
Interestingly enough, every lesson we learn points back to a flaw that, if we choose to correct, will usher us closer to the purpose God has for us. It is then that we realize, through the situations we find ourselves in, God has destined us to ameliorate ourselves! That at the foundation of every challenge are the tools to see ourselves more illuminated. The amazing thing about that light is that it serves a dual purpose: to show us our infirmaries and to intensify the beauty of our path.
Yes, the things we suffer: homelessness, shame, molestation, embarrassment, abandonment, hubris and the like bring us closer to our path and strengthen both our resolves and our stories
When we think about it this way, there's so much more light in those gloomy places we would love to bury.
In life, our perceptions drive us. We often believe that, when we don't reach our goals the way we expected to, we have failed. We have big God-given dreams. When we hear the call of God, we know we can do it. We hear the Word of God with confidence and run to tell someone. Then, opposition arrives, and, as obstacles come, we feel as though we've made a mistake, and, in fear, we often give up before we can accomplish the goal. Regrettably, that's when we create our own concepts of failure based on our fears of inadequacy and many times the eschewed views or disbelief of others. 
