How do you rebound from failure? A lot of people have experienced failure in one way or another. Some have tried to set up a business which ended up collapsing, some also, as students, failed in their exams. There are others who are also married but are currently unhappy because the marriage is failing. The question for them is all about how to rebound from failure.
In Luke 5, we find the disciples trying all night to catch some fish and yet, caught nothing. These were professionals at what they did but they still ended up failing. But they met Jesus on their way home who used their boat to preach and later directed them to go back to fish. As a result, they caught so much fish that they had to call their friends for help.
What was the difference between the first expedition and the second expedition? Perhaps, life may be the same for you. You have done all you could but you seem to fail. In this article, I’m am going to share with you 6 steps on how to rebound from failure.
1. Appropriate the presence of God in your life
In the first expedition, they didn’t have Jesus in their boat. But on the second, he was with them. And that was the main difference – his presence.
Do whatever you can do to have Jesus in your boat? What I mean by this is that the boat signifies the business Peter, James and John were doing. In the same way, whatever business you are involved in, make sure you that Jesus is right there in your business.
Invite Jesus into your business, your marriage or whatever venture you are into. The difference between the first failed expedition and the second successful rebound from failure was because the had Jesus in their boat. It was not a matter of their professional experience or expertise. Also, it is not a matter of how well you study or prepare. Rather, you must have Jesus in your boat and you will come out a success.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
In so far as you have Jesus in your boat, you have a chance to rebound from failure.
2. Use your platform to fulfill the purpose of Christ
Jesus asked to use Peter’s boat to preach and Peter willingly gave it up for use. Perhaps it is time to change the direction of whatever you’re doing? If your marriage is struggling, use it to fulfill the purpose of Christ. Also, if you are struggling in school, use this as an opportunity to fulfill the purpose of Christ.
Christ is interested in the salvation of souls. So, what you can do if your marriage is not doing well is to come together as a couple and pray for let’s say, churches to do well? Or give towards an orphanage project? Or a church project? Find the the purpose of Christ and fulfill it. The result will be that you have invited Jesus into your boat, and he will help you rebound from failure.
Personally, I chose the school I did my PhD because I wanted to establish a church there. It can be a similar thing for you. Use whatever platform you have as a means to fulfill the purpose of Christ.
Accomplishing Jesus’s purpose always sends an invitation to him to join you in your boat.
3. Cooperate with God’s plan
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:4 ESV
In the first expedition, there was no instruction from God. But in the second, Jesus instructed them to, “Launch out into the deep…” and they followed. So, we can say here that he was following God’s plan. He knew what God had said, and he followed that instruction.
If you are going to rebound from failure, you need to find out what God has said concerning that situation and do likewise.
There is something God has said about your situation that you can find in the Bible. When you seek God and talk to him, he will give you an instruction from the scriptures. Make sure to follow it.
The disciples, despite their qualifications, gave no excuses but humbly obeyed that instruction. This must be our attitude.
4. Go deeper where you are uncomfortable
If you stay at the shallow end, you won’t catch good fish. But the good ones are in the deep. Also, the thing about the deep is that it is sometimes dangerous, your boat may be rocked a little bit. Yes, sometimes in the deep you may have to take risks. It means that you may have to walk by faith.
Again, it means that sometimes you may have to follow instructions from someone who doesn’t have any ‘professional fishing experience’. This is how it was with the disciples and Jesus. But they followed anyway and got a great haul.
Walking out into the deep may mean taking some risks, and having a lot of faith but do it anyway. When you are able to do this you are able to make a difference.
5. Anticipate God’s promises and believe them
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luke 5:5 KJV
They knew Jesus was up to something when he asked that they launched into the deep. They had walked with him for a while and so, they anticipated that there was a promise on which they put their faith.
What are the promises of God concerning your marriage which is failing? What are the promises of God concerning your health which is failing? Are there any promises of God concerning your failing business? What is it that is failing? Find verses that address these issues, anticipate them and believe them. You can do this by meditating on them daily.
6. Be convinced that God want to bless you beyond you
Life is not just about you, and God’s blessings is not just about you. I need you to believe that God is going to bless you beyond you. The Bible says that their boats were so full that they had to call their friends to join in to enjoy some. God is going to use your present situation to be a blessing to many others.
I faced a lot of marital challenges initially but God helped me to rebound from marital failure. And now, I am a good marriage counselor with God’s help. There a a lot of things that have failed in my life but these are the 6 steps I have always used to help me to rise up.
I have always believed that everything I go through will be a blessing so that it shall be a blessing to others. I now have a lot of students in my school right now. But I have failed before and it is now a blessing to others.
You may be in a state of failure now but if you follow these six steps that very soon you will see God’s blessing as you rebound from failure.
In conclusion, when you get God’s presence in your boat, and when you get God’s plan in your head; when you get God’s promises in your heart, you cannot fail.
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