FAILING IS NOT FATAL

For years Thomas Edison tried to perfect a long-lasting storage battery. During this time he conducted thousands of experiments that were unsuccessful. One day one of his employees came to him and said, “Isn’t it a shame that you have wasted all of this time? All of the tremendous labor and time that you have spent on this project has not achieved any results that are worthwhile or will work.”

“I’ve got plenty of results,” said Edison. “You see, I’ve discovered several thousand results that won’t work!”

To his credit, Edison was able to look at what he was doing as a way of learning and solving problems. When he failed, he did not look at it as final. He looked at it as a stepping stone to success. How fortunate is that person who can see beyond the moment of defeat to the joy of victory! Failing at something does not make you or mean that you are a failure!

Often we fail to see God at work in what we are doing. We look for the approval of others believing that our rewards come from them. Scripture reminds us, however, to define success in terms of being faithful to God and what He has called us to do. God rewards us for what we accomplish in His name as well as being faithful to Him, for doing what He calls us to do even when we fail in the eyes of the world.

Struggling through difficult days and trying times proves that our trust is in God and that we look to Him for our rewards. “Fear not, I will strengthen and help you.”

Prayer:  It’s natural, Lord, to want the approval of those around us. Often we think that they are the final authority. Remind us that they are not and that we labor for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:     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. Isaiah 41:10